RUSSO DI CASANDRINO: RESPONSIBLE LEATHER INNOVATION

Project: RESPONSIBLE LEATHER INNOVATION
Project Leader: Luigi Mulas Debois
Master in Accesories Design a.y. 2020/2021

Industry Project in collaboration with RUSSO DI CASANDRINO_ Marco Monaco, Chief Production Officer

With a family presence in the tanning field that dates back to the beginning of the last century, Russo di Casandrino has been producing high-quality leather for over 50 years for leather goods, footwear and clothing for the luxury sector, placing itself at the top of the sector. The wide range of products offered, strictly “Made in Italy” or “Made in Italy Full Cycle”, are the result of a design that is not limited to obtaining the aesthetic and functional aspects but also gives due attention to the environmental impact, using materials and studying processes increasingly oriented towards an eco-sustainable and widely traceable production system.

Industry Brief

Sustainability is a key driver for present and future innovation within this domain and the opportunity to elaborate a project in collaboration with one among the most important players of the field is a unique opportunity.

After visiting the tannery and learning the various steps of leather production, the students were given the brief by the company. The goal of the “Responsible Leather Innovation” project was to expose students to the origin of the main materials related to the design of accessories to acquire in-depth experience in the supply chain. Additionally, students were required to address their work towards sustainable practices consistent with the corporate identity.

The design of the material represents one of the most interesting and current challenges for the sector. Russo di Casandrino being an ideal partner able to translate the most diverse stylistically designed leather into production, supporting the design studios and the research and development offices of customer materials, in the fundamental phase of prototyping and industrialization.
The company’s market increasingly requires traceable, sustainable items with excellent cut properties. Furthermore, the achievement of the necessary chemical-physical performances must not compromise the final appearance of the article, which must always be characterized by a finishing balance that can transfer the right value to the finished product.

Unfortunately, this need does not fit well with the trend of qualitative decay of the raw material that we are witnessing day after day.