From stretch leathers from Makouros, to live shoemaking demonstrations by ABECA, the 6th edition of Courovisão was a showcase for the Brazilian industry featuring machinery, chemicals, as well as design.

Courovisão, the international fair of leathers, chemicals, components and accessories for footwear and leathergoods, was held at the Fenac exhibition grounds from September 14-16. A total of 180 companies exhibited, up 20% on the 2004 edition. Visitors came from 15 countries including Germany, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Slovenia, United States, Holland, Italy, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Sweden, Taiwan and Uruguay.

The event is an example of the collaboration between all parts of the leather production chain from CICB (Brazilian tanning industry association) to ASSINTECAL, the association of leather and shoe component manufacturers, ABECA, the shoe and accessory designers’ association, and CTTCA, the leather technology centre among others.

The new board of directors of CICB were invested at Courovisão including the new president, Umberto Cilião Sachelli (see people page 110).

The president of show organisers FENAC, Julio Cezar Camerini, believes that Courovisão provides the perfect arena for companies to present their combination of fashion and technology to the market. He described the event ‘as a great opportunity for export companies to show their creativity, one of the most important characteristics of Brazilian products.’

Design

The Brazilian shoe and accessory designers’ association (ABECA) launched their 2006 autumn/winter trend guide at the fair, which aims to assist manufacturers in product design and development. ABECA also demonstrated the various stages of shoe and accessory development in their fashion workshop at the fair.

According to ABECA, the Brazilian fashion scene has conquered a unique style and identity. On account of the talent and creativity from Brazilian designers, the country is respected and admired throughout the world.

Another key event held during Courovisão was the second edition of the Brazilian congress of design and technology for leather and footwear, which included workshops attended by top Brazilian designers such as Gloria Coelho, Jun Nakao, and Dijon de Moraes.

New dates

The 2006 edition of Courovisão will be held from September 13-15.