Legwear Innovation Day 2025

An event promoted by The LYCRA Company, owner of the LYCRA® brand, in collaboration with Fulgar, to present the strategic directions for the hosiery sector for 2026/2027: from the analysis of global trends to solutions for a more sustainable and competitive supply chain. 

Held yesterday, October 7, in Castel Goffredo — the heart of Italy’s hosiery district — the most anticipated event in the sector brought together key industry players. Organized by The LYCRA Company in collaboration with Fulgar, the Legwear Innovation Day once again transformed the Fulgar Event Space into a stage dedicated to innovation, fashion trends for the 26/27 season, and future perspectives for one of the most representative and historic sectors of Made in Italy manufacturing excellence. 

The 2025 edition — which gathered nearly 150 representatives from leading hosiery companies — confirmed the engaging and immersive format that has defined its success over the years. The two-hour event, from 5 to 7 p.m., alternated between presentations on key innovations in the sector and performance moments showcasing the latest trends developed by The LYCRA Company in collaboration with the prestigious Stijlinstituut Amsterdam, through concept garments created in the LYCRA® brand’s laboratories and unveiled to the audience for the occasion. The evening concluded with a cocktail and light dinner dedicated to networking. 

The event was opened and introduced by Ettore Manfrotto, Account Manager Brand & Retail at The LYCRA Company, who presented the evening’s agenda and welcomed Alice Sperindio, the newly appointed Legwear EMEA Leader. Sperindio will initially focus on the Italian district to further support innovation and the distinctive expertise of the sector, before expanding into growth opportunities across the EMEA market in hosiery, socks, medical, and seamless segments. 

Alice Sperindio continued by outlining the company’s progress and announcing the creation of the first garments made with bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fiber, showcased among the concept pieces displayed on mannequins for the event. This milestone marks a significant step toward a more sustainable fashion textile supply chain — without compromising the technical performance that has made the LYCRA® fiber synonymous with quality and elasticity. 

Next, Daniela Antunes, Marketing Manager at Fulgar, described the company’s concrete commitment to a more responsible way of producing yarns — combining innovation with high quality. Her presentation demonstrated how sustainability and technological research are now central elements driving the transformation of the textile industry. 

The technical insights segment concluded with a presentation by Filippo Sessa, Sustainability Expert at Quantis, a leading environmental sustainability consultancy that uses a scientific, pioneering approach to help companies reduce their impact on the planet. Operating in Italy for over five years, Quantis supports businesses in the FMCG and financial sectors in building sustainable change strategies. In his talk, “Sustainability and Innovation in Hosiery: The Key Role of Italian Districts,” Sessa offered an overview of the challenges facing the industry — from measuring environmental footprints across product life cycles to new EU regulations, innovations in materials, and the crucial role of Italian industrial districts in the transition toward increasingly competitive and responsible business models. 

Then came the fashion show. The four hosiery trends — Work-School, Sport, Chill, and Going Out — were transformed into choreographed performances that brought to life the contemporary language of legwear, interpreting cultural and social change. The functional elegance of office and schoolwear, sportswear as a form of everyday style, comfort as personal wellbeing, and the joy of dressing up for special occasions with distinctive legwear accessories were expressed through captivating dance sequences. 

The dancers delivered evocative performances enhanced by large interactive LED walls on stage that reacted in real time to their movements — blending fashion, technology, and entertainment. Each performance was complemented by technical commentary from Davide Rossi, Technical & Market Development Representative for Legwear at The LYCRA Company, who demonstrated how aesthetic inspirations translate into tangible technical innovations for hosiery. The event also featured a VR area, offering an immersive virtual reality experience that allowed guests to explore how corn from Iowa (USA) is transformed into the bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fiber. 

Alice Sperindio commented:“I’m truly excited to begin this new chapter at The LYCRA Company. The Italian hosiery district is globally recognized for its excellence, and my goal is to work closely with local companies to support innovation and highlight the unique strengths that make this sector one of a kind.” 

“Looking toward the future of hosiery together with The LYCRA Company means bringing together expertise and shared values: continuous innovation, attention to quality, and a responsible approach to production. This synergy creates real value for the entire supply chain.”  Daniela Antunes added.

Filippo Sessa concluded:“The Italian hosiery district has all the qualities needed to lead the sustainable transition of the sector at the European level. The challenge lies in turning these strengths into measurable and communicable competitive advantages. Districts that invest in traceability, material innovation, and collaboration across the supply chain will be the ones shaping the future of sustainable legwear.”

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