On November 28, in the heart of the Montebelluna footwear district, the second edition of the Footwear Innovation Day took place an event that brought together companies, designers, and developers around a single question: where is innovation in footwear heading? A delegation from Arsutoria School was also in attendance, with the valuable opportunity to listen to authoritative voices and gain insight into the main directions of innovation currently shaping footwear companies.
We asked Alberto Franco, Chief Technology Officer at design&develop and curator of the event’s content, to help us interpret the most significant messages that emerged on stage. The result was a conversation rich in insights, particularly relevant for those who are still in training today.
What topics were covered during the event?
“This year, we decided to divide the event into four thematic blocks, one more than in the first edition in 2023. An in-depth look at what we consider the key pillars of footwear development: design, engineering, and production. The sessions were:
- Innovation in fabrication, where we presented some of the most innovative technologies in manufacturing, from uppers to soles, including systems that reduce components and increase automation.
- Product end-of-life, a topic made even more urgent by new regulations. We involved Contarina SPA—a true European leader in waste management—together with AIR Coop and Plastic Sort, to provide not only an overview of regulatory constraints but also concrete solutions.
- Digital transformation, a subject that is particularly important to me and still underdeveloped in our local area. The presentations showed that today digitalization can be adopted using open and interconnected tools, far more flexible than what we have seen in the past.
- Design for purpose, a block dedicated to inspiration and design driven by real-world use. After highly technical talks, it was important to return to the constraints and needs of the end user.”
What are the key messages emerging from the 2025 edition, across the presentations and Q&A sessions?
“The common theme across almost all talks is that footwear products need to be designed and built in a more conscious way, simplifying not only production but also design and the product’s end-of-life.
Another interesting aspect is that very little was said about artificial intelligence. Not because it isn’t relevant, but because it is now perceived as an integrated tool—useful, but not a replacement for the work of designers or technicians.”
Which of the technologies presented do you believe could have the greatest impact on the footwear industry?
“I believe the greatest impact will come from production technologies. The possibility of bringing certain types of manufacturing back to Europe — especially in the sport and outdoor sectors will depend on automation. During her presentation, Maia Zheliazkova, Computational Designer and Innovation Concept Design at On, showed how the brand is already able to produce high-performance footwear in Zurich thanks to investments in automation. This is a direction that will lead to a rethinking of design and traditional product development processes.
End-of-life regulations will also play a major role. Brands will be required to contribute to the disposal or recovery of their products, similar to what already happens with plastic bottles. This will push many companies toward simpler constructions, fewer materials, and greater attention to costs.”
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