About 150 subsidiary companies make up the tannery district of Santa Croce, which over the years has become a worldwide point of reference for the leather industry.

The companies here make leather for important Italian and international fashion brands. This industry, as well as that of fashion in general, is constantly in the spotlight due to its strong impact on the environment and sustainability. The Tuscan district has become a model of circular economy, thanks to the use of cutting-edge technology for water purification and recycling of the waste products of the manufacturing process, as well as investment in the POTECO, the tannery technological centre which focuses on research and training.

To mark the occasion of Pitti Immagine, the District decided to tell its story to the public and sector workers with an event entitled “Emozione Pelle” [Emotions in Leather], corporate storytelling that brings anecdotes, images, and testimonials to life on the stage, featuring key historical figures and the success stories of the Association, as well as local institutions and representatives from the world of fashion.

The evening began with a speech from storyteller Stefano Massini, and was presented by the journalist Duilio Giammaria with a report on the district and its sustainable practices on the RAI TV programme, “Petrolio”. The President of the Region of Tuscany, Enrico Rossi, was also on the stage.