Russia’s Largest Exhibition for Leather, Fur, and Footwear
The leather, fur, and footwear industries represent a significant segment of Russia’s consumer goods market. From high-fashion footwear and luxury leather accessories to practical work boots and industrial leather components, these products require specialised materials, advanced manufacturing technologies, and reliable supply chains. LeShow, the International Exhibition for Leather, Fur, Footwear, and Leathergoods, is the country’s premier event for this diverse and dynamic industry. Held annually in Moscow, LeShow brings together tanners, footwear manufacturers, component suppliers, and fashion brands from across Russia and around the world.
Exhibition Overview
LeShow is the largest and most important trade fair for the leather and footwear industry in Russia and the CIS region. The exhibition covers the complete value chain, from raw hides and skins and tanning chemicals to finished footwear, leather garments, bags, accessories, and the machinery required to produce them.
A defining characteristic of LeShow is its comprehensive scope. Unlike smaller events that focus on a single segment, LeShow addresses the entire industry: leather production, footwear manufacturing, fur and fur products, leathergoods, components and accessories, and tanning and manufacturing technologies. This integrated approach allows visitors to explore all aspects of the industry in a single visit.
Venue and Organisation
LeShow is held at the Main Stage Fairgrounds, a major exhibition complex located in Moscow. The venue’s location and modern facilities make it easily accessible for both domestic and international participants.
The exhibition is organised by Expocentre AO with support from the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade and industry associations.
Product Categories
LeShow covers an extensive range of product and service categories relevant to the leather, fur, and footwear industries:
Footwear: Men’s, women’s, and children’s footwear across all categories including dress shoes, casual shoes, sports footwear, work boots, winter boots, and orthopaedic footwear. Both domestic Russian manufacturers and international brands are represented.
Leather and Fur Garments: Leather jackets and coats, fur coats, sheepskin coats, vests, and other outerwear. This section also includes leather trousers, skirts, and other fashion garments.
Leathergoods: Bags, briefcases, backpacks, wallets, belts, gloves, travel goods, and small leather accessories.
Raw Materials and Components: Hides and skins (bovine, ovine, caprine, pig, exotic), leather (finished, semi-finished, crust), synthetic and textile materials for footwear uppers, lining materials, soling materials, insoles, heels, adhesives, threads, and findings.
Tanning and Manufacturing Chemicals: Tanning agents, retanning agents, dyes, fats and oils, finishing chemicals, and auxiliaries for leather production.
Footwear Components: Soles, heels, lasts, shanks, toe puffs, counters, insoles, laces, zippers, buckles, decorative elements, and other footwear findings.
Machinery and Equipment: Tanning machinery (drums, sammying machines, splitting machines, shaving machines), footwear manufacturing machinery (cutting presses, stitching machines, lasting machines, soling presses), finishing equipment, and quality control systems.
Fur and Fur Products: Raw fur skins (mink, sable, fox, rabbit, other furs), dressed furs, fur garments and accessories, and fur processing technologies.
Design and Software: CAD/CAM systems for footwear and leathergoods design, pattern making software, grading and nesting software, and 3D design tools.
A History of Service to the Industry
LeShow has been held annually in Moscow for over two decades. Throughout its history, the exhibition has served as the primary meeting point for the Russian leather and footwear industry, connecting domestic manufacturers with international suppliers and providing a platform for business development and technology transfer.
The exhibition has witnessed significant changes in the Russian leather and footwear market. In the early years, imports dominated the market. Over time, domestic manufacturing has grown, supported by modernisation of tanning facilities and footwear factories. LeShow has consistently provided the platform where these developments are showcased and where partnerships are formed to advance the industry.
Scale and Participation
The scale of LeShow reflects the importance of the Russian leather and footwear market. In typical editions, the exhibition welcomes over 200 exhibitors from more than 20 countries. Professional attendance exceeds 8,000 visitors, including footwear manufacturers, leathergoods producers, tannery managers, purchasing specialists from retail chains, fashion designers, and industry distributors.
Participating countries include Russia, Italy, Turkey, China, Spain, Portugal, Germany, France, Greece, South Korea, India, Pakistan, Brazil, Argentina, and other leather-producing and footwear-manufacturing nations. National pavilions from major producing countries are a regular feature of the exhibition.
Visitor Profile
LeShow attracts a highly targeted professional audience. Typical visitors include:
Footwear Manufacturers seeking raw materials, components, machinery, and design services.
Leathergoods Producers looking for leather, fittings, and manufacturing equipment.
Tannery Managers and Technologists sourcing hides, tanning chemicals, and processing equipment.
Retail Chain Purchasing Specialists searching for finished footwear and leathergoods to stock their stores.
Fashion Designers and Brand Owners developing new collections and seeking manufacturing partners.
Fur Industry Professionals including fur farmers, fur dressers, and fur garment manufacturers.
Industry Distributors and Wholesalers representing brands and supplying materials to manufacturers.
Start-up Entrepreneurs entering the footwear or leathergoods market.
Business Programme
LeShow features a comprehensive business programme that runs alongside the exhibition. Conferences, seminars, roundtable discussions, and fashion shows address both strategic industry trends and practical technical topics:
Industry Conferences covering market trends, import substitution, regulatory changes, and export opportunities for Russian leather and footwear products.
Technical Seminars on leather manufacturing technologies, footwear construction, quality control methods, and new material developments.
Fashion Shows presenting new collections of footwear, leather garments, and accessories from Russian and international designers.
Trend Presentations forecasting colour, material, and style trends for upcoming seasons.
Retail Forums discussing the relationship between manufacturers and retailers, merchandising strategies, and consumer behaviour.
Import Substitution Roundtables addressing the challenges and opportunities of replacing imported leather, components, and machinery with domestic equivalents.
Sourcing Sessions connecting buyers with suppliers through structured networking events.
The Italian and Turkish Presence
Italian and Turkish exhibitors have historically been prominent at LeShow. Italy, as a world leader in tanning technology, footwear design, and leather fashion, brings a strong contingent of machinery manufacturers, chemical suppliers, and finished product brands. Italian tanneries from the Arzignano and Santa Croce districts are regular participants, showcasing high-quality leathers for footwear and leathergoods.
Turkey, a major footwear producer and a significant supplier to the Russian market, maintains a substantial presence at LeShow. Turkish footwear manufacturers, component suppliers, and leather producers use the exhibition to strengthen their relationships with Russian buyers and to demonstrate their manufacturing capabilities.
Chinese Participation and Import Substitution
In recent years, Chinese participation at LeShow has grown significantly. As some Western suppliers have reduced their presence in the Russian market, Chinese manufacturers of footwear, leathergoods, components, and machinery have stepped in to fill the gap. Chinese companies offer competitive pricing, shorter delivery times, and a willingness to adapt products to Russian market requirements.
Import substitution has become a central theme at LeShow. Russian footwear and leathergoods manufacturers are actively seeking domestic sources of raw materials and components. Russian tanneries have expanded their production of finished leather, and Russian component manufacturers are developing products to replace imported findings and accessories.
The exhibition provides a forum for discussing the practical challenges of import substitution. Technical sessions address questions of quality comparison, supply chain reliability, and the economics of switching suppliers. Case studies of successful import substitution projects demonstrate that domestic and Chinese-sourced materials can meet the quality requirements of Russian manufacturers.
The Russian Domestic Industry
Russia has a long history of leather and footwear manufacturing. During the Soviet era, the country produced hundreds of millions of pairs of shoes annually. The post-Soviet transition saw a dramatic decline in domestic production, as imports flooded the market. In recent years, however, domestic manufacturing has staged a recovery.
Russian footwear production has grown steadily, driven by import substitution policies, modernisation of existing factories, and the emergence of new manufacturing enterprises. The industry now produces a wide range of footwear, from work boots and orthopaedic shoes to fashion footwear for men, women, and children.
Russian tanneries have also invested in modernisation, producing high-quality leather for footwear, leathergoods, and upholstery applications. LeShow provides these domestic manufacturers with a platform to showcase their products to a national audience and to compete with imported alternatives.
Focus on Quality and Compliance
Quality control and regulatory compliance are recurring themes at LeShow. Footwear and leathergoods sold in the Russian market must comply with technical regulations, including requirements for safety, durability, and labelling. The exhibition features companies offering testing services, certification support, and quality management systems.
Technical sessions address the specific requirements of Russian technical regulations for footwear and leather products. Manufacturers learn about mandatory certification procedures, marking requirements, and the documentation needed to place products on the Russian market.
Fashion and Design
LeShow is not only about manufacturing and materials; it is also about fashion and design. The exhibition features a dedicated area for fashion shows and trend presentations, where Russian and international designers present their latest collections.
Footwear and leathergoods are fashion products, and success in the market depends on design as much as on quality and price. LeShow provides a platform where manufacturers can see the latest trends, designers can find inspiration, and brands can showcase their creative work.
Looking Ahead
The future of LeShow is closely tied to the development of the Russian leather and footwear industry. As domestic manufacturing continues to grow and modernise, the exhibition will expand to accommodate new exhibitors and new product categories. The focus on import substitution will remain central, as Russian manufacturers seek reliable sources of materials, components, and technology.
The exhibition is also expected to place greater emphasis on sustainability. Environmental concerns are increasingly important in the leather and footwear industry, from the tanning process to product disposal. LeShow will likely feature more exhibitors offering eco-friendly materials, cleaner production technologies, and sustainable fashion solutions.
Practical Information for Visitors
- Dates: June 23 – 25, 2026
- Venue: Main Stage, Moscow, Russia
LeShow has established itself as the essential event for Russia’s leather, fur, and footwear industries. For tanneries, it provides access to buyers of finished leather and sources of raw hides and tanning chemicals. For footwear and leathergoods manufacturers, it offers a comprehensive view of available materials, components, and machinery. For suppliers of technologies and services, it delivers direct contact with decision-makers in the industry.
The exhibition’s enduring value lies in its comprehensive scope and its focus on the specific needs of the Russian market. In a period of import substitution, regulatory change, and shifting supply chains, LeShow provides the platform where the industry comes together to do business, share knowledge, and shape the future of leather and footwear in Russia.
Every year in Moscow, the leather and footwear community gathers at LeShow to display new collections, source materials and components, and build the partnerships that will dress the nation. LeShow is where raw hides become fashion.
