Brands often lead in fabric selection, driven by their design vision and innovation goals. They decide on materials that align with their brand identity, target market, and seasonal trends, with many increasingly prioritising sustainability. However, as with sustainability, fabric selections are widely influenced by consumers’ evolving preferences and expectations. That is where retailers come in, providing key feedback on which fabrics perform well in various markets and affecting future offerings.
In recent years, very few tanneries and chemical suppliers have closed (we had some consolidations however). Through the decades, I have observed that quality leather manufacturers with innovative products very seldom close down. Today, we still have investments in tannery remodelling and new tanneries are being built. Italy is the greatest example of investment in creative leather manufacturing with the proper machinery, chemicals, quality, art, and craft.