The annual International Automotive Leather Design Show is run by the Elmo and Brusarosco brands of the Rino Mastrotto group. This year’s show is in partnership with Morelab, the group’s Tuscany-based studio specializing in customization for luxury and fashion sectors. The show will run in multiple markets in Europe and North America through to the end of 2025 and is already proving a vital forum to share ideas and learn from one another.
This year’s theme, ‘In Balance’, highlights the beauty and symbiosis of seemingly opposing constructs, with three subthemes that crystalize trends, product advances and opportunities the design teams have observed.
The first theme is ‘Digital Zen’ which brings into light the topic of autonomous driving. This has a close bearing on CMF: designers must find a harmony between digital technology and authentic materials, curating an experience that is conducive to both mental and physical comfort. Digital overload could lead to a lack of emotional connection with the vehicle, but leather “can provide authenticity in the digital age of interior design,” says Elmo’s Design and Development Manager for Europe, Helena Bonving.
‘Infinity’ celebrates the synergies between nature and mankind and nods to the creation of beautiful leather products by hand and machine. Janne Liess, Elmo’s Design and Development Manager for North America, says, “Leather, the upcycling of a bio-based material made by nature, is one of the oldest circular economies in the world. In the theme ‘Infinity’, our leather facilitates a bridge between nature and mankind: made by nature, sustainably crafted by Elmo and Brusarosco”.
The final theme, ‘Tomorrow’s Heritage’, centers on the balance between craftsmanship and innovation; a merging of old and new. In combination, these subthemes invite automaker designers to explore thoughtful, sustainable and future-oriented solutions for the next generation of mobility.
All three of these themes look not only at past and current trends but also present the latest innovations in leather. In particular, Brusarosco’s Innovative Finishing System (IFS) and Elmo’s next-generation sustainable material Elmosoft III, which leverages a bio-based tanning technology to create an aldehyde-free product.
Developed by Brusarosco’s research team, the IFS enhances the natural softness and durability of any nappa leather. Liess says, “It redefines how leather performs and feels throughout its lifecycle, optimizing both aesthetic appeal and functional durability during the most demanding applications – from lamination to final upholstery”.
The latest evolution of the Elmosoft line, Elmosoft III, draws on expertise beyond the automotive realm. Liess says it “offers a refined, semi-aniline touch once reserved for high-end residential furniture, now recalibrated for the sensorial needs of next-generation mobility”.
