Mipel: a special edition nearing its centenary

A few days ago, from March the 6th to March the 9th, Milan, specifically the Fiera Milano Rho area, hosted the 99th edition of the Mipel show (International Market of leather products and accessories)  showing all the latest trends in leather products for the next fall-winter season 2011/2012.

The exhibition, preceded by the MIDO (eyewear and optometry exhibition), showed simultaneously with Micam (exhibition of shoes and boots both for men and women) and attracted more than 400 exhibitors, 200 accredited journalists and more than 20,000 buyers, specializing in the leather sector, here to test the quality of the products on display and discover all the latest trends in the matter of leather and fabrics for next winter.

The exhibition space, this time, was divided into six main topic areas, to direct visitors more easily towards the specific area of their interest, planning a focussed visit, without any waste of time.

 The Gallery hosted the big brands, the most famous labels, dictating the most innovative trends in the matter of handbags and other small leather accessories for the next fall-winter season 2011-2012.

 The Glamour area, on the other hand, proposed all those products belonging to the upper-middle level, this year characterized by the key word “practicality”.

 The Fashion Trend and Trend accessories section, was reserved to all visitors interested in a young and stylish model of handbag, aimed at all those young girls following the latest fashion trends and always interested in the newest styles .

 The Startup area hosted all the young companies with the potential of becoming the famous brands of the future, while the Overseas sector was addressed to exhibitors and manufacturers from overseas.

 The  new feature of this latest edition was a space reserved for 20 new brands exhibiting their products at Mipel for the first time; a sort of encouragement for all those companies that are entering the international market right now and wish to make an impression with their style.

 In a climate totally dedicated to the genuine Made in Italy label, a reference to the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy was not to be forgotten and a huge tricolor flag at the entrance of Hall 16 was a fitting reminder..

 But what are the new proposals for the next 2011-2012 winter season in the matter of handbags and leather accessories? What will be considered IN and what will be considered OUT?

 Among the new trends resulting from this 99th edition of Mipel, we certainly can’t fail to announce the overwhelming return of fur, considered the IT MATERIAL of next winter, widely used either to trim dresses (as we saw at the recent European fashion weeks) or for the manufacture of handbags and suitcases.

Fur is the undisputed mood of next fall-winter 2011-2012, either genuine or ecological, according to the tastes of the customers themselves.

Among the most fashionable kinds of fur proposed, a prestigious position is occupied by Persian lamb and by mink, whether trimming the edges of handbags or totally covering it.

A general trend can be seen in the tanning of rabbit and sheepskin to make them look like warm and soft astrakhan and mink.

Fashionable too is zebra striped ponyskin applied to shoulder bags with fine chain straps.

 As for the handbag of next winter, it will be medium sized (large totes are no longer as trendy as in the past), rich in detail, covered in furs such as rabbit or mink (ecological or not) and decorated with inserts in lace or finished with leather, fabric or pvc.

The Must Have of next winter, in the matter of handbags, will be the classic trunk bag and the clutch that transforms into a real handbag, increasing in volume and becoming more wearable thanks to its chain strap.

However classic postman bags too, with a large flap and strap, will be very IN, alongside the evergreen bucket bags and the office bags with handle.

Decorative accessories such as zippers, refined straps with stones and pearls, and important brass handles are a Must for the success of next winter’s bag.

Wide totes and clutches with no strap, on the other hand, will be OUT next year, as already mentioned above.

 And what about colors? Which will be the most fashionable shades of the next fall-winter season 2011-2012 as far as handbags and accessories are concerned?

 As we saw looking at the recently concluded European fashion weeks, the most used colors for the next winter season will be black, grey and brown, brightened by more vivid shades such as red and fuchsia or more natural shades going from beige to dark green. Very fashionable too are blue, (perfect in each gradation of color), violet and green.

 Among the most popular patterns, there is the animal print (as proposed by Givenchy and by its designer Riccardo Tisci) or the geometric one, whose shapes are approached and juxtaposed with the addition of gold streaks.

 Patent leather and velvet are among the most used fabrics, followed by high tech waterproof and scratch resistant materials.

As far as genuine leather is concerned, calf skin and nappa are the most used leathers for making practical and refined handbags, rich in zippers and luxury decorations which let them appear like pieces of fine jewelry.