Those in the footwear and leather goods sector know the challenges the industry has been facing for several years. Innovation, shortage of trained professionals and sustainability. These are the issues nagging the manufacturing world and the entire shoe and bag supply chain.

As always we open our section dedicated to the Outdoor world by referring to the figures and statistics collected by the European Outdoor Group.

The EOG State of Trade report covers products sold by over 100 outdoor companies in Europe in the apparel, footwear and hard- ware markets, and also includes outdoor sell-in figures from multisport/lifestyle brands.

Cents, the startup that won the contest sponsored by Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags in June 2023, is a platform with a high digital coefficient and considerable social impact that combines the charitable experience with the shopping experience.

It’s almost refreshing to have had to juggle between those rushing to perfect new purchases, those showing off new collections in the courtyard of Florence’s Castle and the many photographers who kept snapping nonstop.

After difficult years for everyone, finding Pitti Uomo in great shape allows us to hope for a real recovery not only of men’s fashion, but of the entire industry.

Don’t be fooled by the title, which echoes the monarchical mood of coronations. Sneakers are far from abdicating their role as market dominators. If the contraction of consumption has curtailed its irrepressible expansion, it does not mean that the sneaker does not still have many edicts to offer its affectionate consumers.

Winter is the season of boots, and the coming cold season is no exception: fashion is pointing to chelsea boots, as well as amphibians and combat boots, often customized with metallic accessories or fur inserts.
Not too far away is the sound of revolver shots announcing the return of Texans, featuring metallic and jeweled accessories, animal leathers and metallic inserts.

As always, Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags got things going for the coming winter, presenting new collections from international manufacturers and brands. A varied landscape, in which ankle boot models were again the winners. Those who thought that we would go for a longer style proved to be mistaken, as the preference remains for a style that goes just above the ankle.

Masculine Future is the name of one of the areas that Pitti Uomo dedicated to men’s fashion during the last event. A future that is not easy to intercept, as it crosses many areas of taste, creativity and style.

On the one hand, aesthetic research is more than ever linked to craftsmanship processes, with textural textures, functional details and multifaceted materials. On the other hand, the re-established contact with nature inspires light and resistant accessories and footwear, which indulges movement in day-to-day comfort. Attention to the environmental impact associated with innovative designs is intensified, even on eco-materials.

Gathered under the hashtag #finallytogether, the trade fairs returned – literally – to colour Rho Fieramilano. Amidst 70s atmospheres, pronounced soles and a return to elegant models, colour was indeed the real protagonist of the footwear collections presented at Micam Milano.

Whether the reign of the sneakers is eternal or not we can not know. What is certain is that these shoes are living a golden age. Comfortable and versatile, they are loved by children and young people and not only! But what will they look like for next autumn/winter 2022/23?

Among ‘protective looks’, warm and soft materials and a barely visible elegance, the Autumn-Winter 2022/23 collections presented at Micam Milano also confirm the ankle boot as the real winner of the season.

There is definitely no story, the proposals admired at the January appointment in Riva del Garda speak of high shoes to cover the ankle, aggressive-looking soles and, of course, still many, many sneakers.