For most tanneries, August is a quieter month. The machines stop for a few weeks and the pace of the factory slows. Yet this is precisely when much of the work that will be seen at Lineapelle Milano is finalized. We will be at the world’s leading international materials fair for fashion and footwear from 15 to 17 September 2026.
A trade fair is not put together in two days, however short the event itself may be. Behind every hide displayed on the stand are months of decisions made well in advance: trend research, color development, laboratory testing and quality control. This article offers a closer look at what that work involves.
From raw material to quality leather
Everything begins with bovine hide, a by-product of the food industry. Working with a by-product offers two advantages: it reduces the environmental impact of livestock farming and gives lasting value to a material that would otherwise go to waste. At Curtidos Badia, we trace the origin of every hide and monitor our suppliers as part of our commitment to sustainability and animal welfare.
From there, the process continues through several controlled technical stages:
- Preparation and cleaning. The hide is cleaned and conditioned for tanning.
- Tanning. The hide is transformed into a stable material that resists decomposition.
- Retanning and color. This is where fatliquoring and color development take place—the work most closely connected to the season and the trends we will see in Milan.
- Finishing and quality control. Durability, flexibility, breathability and final appearance are defined here, with an aniline or semi-aniline finish depending on the article.
Each of our 86 color references, available across the Silk-Elba and Mozart lines, goes through this complete process before reaching our clients or being displayed at a trade fair.
What it takes to prepare for Lineapelle
Studying colors, textures and finishes to create a proposal aligned with our values takes months. At Curtidos Badia, this work is carried out by the same teams that manage daily production: there is no separate trade-fair department. The entire factory prepares what it will present to the world while continuing its day-to-day work.
This also means dealing with setbacks: a color that does not turn out as expected, a finish that has to be repeated or a deadline that becomes tighter. Once the hides are displayed, that process recedes into the background. What remains is the collection.
A trade fair built around relationships, not only display
Lineapelle is not merely a place to showcase products. It is where commercial relationships are maintained and new ones begin—relationships that later become orders, samples and years of collaboration with fashion and footwear brands. That is why the work does not end when an edition closes: follow-up begins after every visit, so our clients’ satisfaction matches our own when presenting new developments.
This year, something new: our website
This edition coincides with the launch of our redesigned website. Ahead of the fair, visitors can now explore the complete tanning process, our color chart, our sustainability policy and the story of a family business with more than 135 years of history in Igualada. Information that was previously shared only in person or through a catalogue is now available to help visitors prepare for the stand with a clearer understanding of our work.
Arrange a meeting in Milan
We will be at Lineapelle Milano from 15 to 17 September 2026, presenting the season’s latest developments. To arrange a meeting with our sales team or receive more information about this edition, write to us through our contact form.