At this spring's trade fairs, Lanxess Deutschland GmbH showed what leathers will be "en vogue" in the fashion industry in the Spring/Summer 2006 season. The company's leather experts have collaborated with an Italian stylist to produce a collection of 21 leathers - five for furniture and the remainder for footwear upper that are in keeping with four main trends in a variety of colours.

The four trends are:

• Nouvelle vague – ’70s revival of luxury beaches. This trend is said to awaken memories of the glamorous 1970s - memories of Acapulco, Monte Carlo, Playboy, rich Americans and "la dolce vita". The colours are reminiscent of fashionable seaside resorts - medium blue to sea blue, sand; aubergine and gray shades are highlighted by lighter or metallic effects.

• Living design - classical elements from the past few decades are teamed with modern features. Old shapes are taken as a model for new items of furniture and are finished with the latest technologies - the colours are young and modern, from orange/red and pink shades to yellow/green. Changing colours that interact with the light are used as highlights for furniture upholstery leathers.

• Travelling in a multi-ethnic world - Freedom in fashion - young people wear what appeals to them. Soft, flowing materials predominate. From matt effects to high gloss - anything goes; metallic effects are featured but there are no aggressive colours - sunshine yellow and apple green are used as accentuating colours.

• World Cup 2006 - The whole world is eagerly awaiting the soccer World Cup in Germany - the sporting event of 2006. Everything revolves around sport - its influence is felt throughout daily life and also in fashion. This trend uses a wide range of colours, from pale orange to blue and yellow. Brilliant and in some cases fluorescent shades are also featured, as well as metallic effects combined with matt shades.

Leather technologists in Italy have produced leathers that have the appropriate appearance and colour for the individual themes or the right associations.

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