Material Library

In ANIMA, leather is never just material.

It is memory, structure, identity. Each leather is selected from the best Italian tanneries, places where artisanal knowledge is handed down and evolves, where time is as much a part of the process as technique. Here, tanning is not an industrial process, but a precise balance between innovation and respect: treatments designed to reduce environmental impact while preserving and amplifying the original qualities of the leather. Elasticity, depth, resistance. Every characteristic is nurtured, never forced. In ANIMA, we do not seek artificial perfection. We seek the truth of the material. The veins, the slight variations in tone, the natural markings: these are signs that tell a story of origin, and for this reason, they are maintained, interpreted, and enhanced. Each hide is observed individually, oriented, studied. There are no neutral surfaces, only surfaces to be understood. Construction is entirely artisanal. Every cut is a conscious choice. Every combination arises from a balance between aesthetic tension and function. Nothing is imposed on the material. Every action is a dialogue. It is in this dialogue that uniqueness is born. Because no two leathers are identical, and no two ANIMA ORIGIN products can be. The value lies not only in the quality of what is seen, but in the depth of what is respected. And in the time dedicated to transforming it, without ever betraying its essence.

A system, not a choice

In ANIMA ORIGIN, materials are not simply options. They are levels of access. Each skin belongs to a specific material universe, defined by rarity, processing, and expressive intensity.
It's not about adding. It's about entering.

  • Luxury Essential — the essence

    Calfskin and Suede represent the point of origin. Two iconic materials, selected for their balance, purity, and versatility. They are the foundation upon which everything takes shape. The initial grammar of the ANIMA language.

  • Premium Textures - depth

    Nappa leather, “DOLLARO” effect leather, and “CROCODILE” effect leather introduce a superior level of material complexity. Here, the leather evolves: it becomes softer, more textured, more three-dimensional. These are textures that add character without excess. A natural evolution for those seeking a more defined presence.

  • Fashion Textures — the expression

    Crackle, Glossy Laminate and "DOLLARO" effect Glossy Laminate belong to a bolder territory. Matter becomes visual language.
    It reflects, breaks, transforms. Here the sneaker no longer just follows a shape.
    It interprets it. It is the level of declared identity.

  • Hero Luxury — the exception

    Printed pony hair is not simply a material. It’s a choice. Rare, sensory, impossible to replicate identically, it represents the pinnacle of ANIMA's research. It’s not for everyone. And that’s precisely the point.

Calfskin (Full grain / high quality)

Purity, precision, control. Calfskin is the essence of leather in its most balanced form.
Smooth, compact, precise: it reflects light evenly and presents a clean, contemporary image, without excess.

Technical definition

Full-grain leather retains its natural grain and is treated with minimal finishing interventions, which is why it is considered among the most valuable.

Main characteristics

  • Feel: full, elastic, stable
  • Look: premium, natural, iconic
  • Durability over time: excellent (beautiful patina)
  • Ideal use: Surface, reinforcements, main construction

Usage notes (ANIMA artisan)

  • It is the "perfect" leather for a luxury daily-use sneaker

It responds very well to cutting and stitching (high precision), as well as hot embossing (Origin Essence)

Suede

Velvety depth, silent elegance. A surface that absorbs light and gently reflects it.

Suede is a living material: soft, enveloping, almost impalpable. It gives the sneaker a discreet yet sophisticated presence, made of nuances and movement.

Technical definition

Leather with a "velvety" surface obtained by processing the inner side (flesh split), then buffed to create a soft, matte feel (suede effect).

Main characteristics

  • Feel: velvety, warm, sophisticated
  • Look: matte, deep, luxury casual
  • Ideal use: large and continuous surfaces, where the material can express itself without interruption (Surface, Direction, and Balance)

Usage notes (ANIMA craftsman)

  • Excellent for elegant chromatic contrasts
  • Requires attention to stains/liquids (improved with protection)

Nappa (Soft full-grain leather)

Absolute softness. Sensorial luxury. Nappa is a caress.

Soft, fluid, naturally luminous: it follows movement without resistance, adapting to the form with spontaneous elegance.

Technical definition

“Nappa” leather = very soft leather, with a light finish (often full-grain) designed to maintain natural touch and flexibility.

Main characteristics

  • Feel: very soft, silky
  • Look: clean, elegant, contemporary
  • Comfort: very high (quickly adapts to the foot)
  • Ideal use: premium inserts (in particular, suitable for Movement and Balance)

Usage notes (ANIMA craftsman)

  • Perfect for “quiet” luxury
  • Requires attention to wear if used for the main surface (Surface); may appear “creased”

"DOLLARO" effect leather

Urban energy, contemporary luxury. A lively, irregular, moving surface.
Dollaro print leather interprets luxury in a contemporary key: less formal, more dynamic.

Technical definition
"Dollaro" (in leather goods/footwear jargon) indicates a pronounced and regular grain, with a bold and contemporary look ("pebbled/grained" effect).

Main characteristics

  • Feel: full, textured
  • Look: strong, urban-luxury
  • Ideal use: Surface / main areas if you want character; premium inserts to stand out

Notes (ANIMA Artisan)

  • Very suitable for everyday use: it conceals micro-scratches well
  • Makes the sneaker more "tactile" and three-dimensional

used to introduce movement and depth into the sneaker's surfaces

"COCCO" effect leather

Iconic texture, strong character. A surface that doesn't go unnoticed.

Croc-embossed leather interprets elegance in a contemporary way: structured, luminous, distinctive. It's a material that catches the eye and holds it, thanks to its natural play of reliefs and reflections.

Technical Definition

Natural leather subjected to high-pressure embossing to reproduce a pattern inspired by crocodile skin.

The hammering and depth of the pattern create a three-dimensional, rich, and dynamic surface.

Key Features

  • Visual and tactile three-dimensionality → each relief creates light and shadow
  • High resistance → more compact structure compared to smooth leathers
  • Strong identity → each piece becomes immediately recognizable
  • Material elegance → balance between naturalness and construction

Usage Notes (ANIMA artisan)

  • Perfect for Soul Signature and iconic details
  • To be used judiciously: it immediately looks "fashion editorial"

Every cut, every positioning of the design is decided manually, to ensure visual balance and continuity between the different parts of the sneaker.

"CRACKLE" effect leather (Gold - Silver distressed/crackled foil leather)

Material tension, imperfect beauty.

A surface that tells of time, even when new.

Crackle-effect leather thrives on contrasts: full and empty, light and shadow, control and rupture.

The superficial micro-fractures create an unpredictable, almost organic design.

Every fold, every movement amplifies this texture, making the material dynamic, never static.

It is an imperfect beauty.

And it is precisely this that makes it unique.

Technical definition

Leather finished with metallic lamination (foil) and subsequent processing to obtain a crackled / "worn" effect, i.e., controlled micro-fractures of the foil. The goal is a non-uniform, deliberately irregular texture, with a material and artistic aesthetic.

Key features

  • Look: laminated gold with aesthetic fractures and imperfections (patina effect)
  • Feel: more structured than traditional nappa/calfskin
  • Visual impact: very high, immediately luxurious/editorial
  • Sensation: more "artwork" than "material"
  • Photographic rendition: excellent (captures light, creates depth)

Notes (ANIMA artisan)

Crackle leather is used as an expressive element, capable of giving immediate character to the sneaker.

ANIMA enhances its unpredictability, avoiding forced interpretations and allowing the natural design to emerge authentically.

Each cut is manually oriented to harmonize the texture variations and maintain visual balance in the overall piece.

  • The micro-fractures are not defects: they are part of the processing and make each creation different.
  • Ideal with clean stitching and elegant proportions.

Glossy laminated deer skin with "DOLLAR" effect

Liquid light, textured character.

A surface that reflects, but not uniformly.

The glossy laminated deer with a dollar grain effect is a balance between brilliance and depth: light glides over the grain's irregularities, fragmenting and moving.

It's not a flat gloss.

It's a living luminosity that changes with every step.

The "dollar" texture breaks the perfection of the mirror, introducing rhythm and three-dimensionality.

The result is a material that combines visual impact and tactile richness.

Technical definition

Deer leather, naturally soft and fibrous, subjected to drumming to achieve the typical "dollar" grain, and subsequently finished with a glossy surface lamination.

This treatment combines structural flexibility and brilliance, maintaining the leather's three-dimensionality.

Main features

  • Dynamic sheen → non-uniform reflections due to the grain
  • Pronounced texture → visible and tactile dollar effect
  • High softness → typical of deer leather
  • Strong visual impact → protagonist material, not accessory

Usage notes (ANIMA craftsman)

  • Ideal if you want an immediate "one of one" effect
  • Perfect for inserts (Soul Signature, Balance, and Movement)

Gloss Laminated

Pure reflection, essential elegance.

A continuous, reflective, almost liquid surface.

Glossy laminated leather expresses a form of essential luxury, where light becomes matter and defines every line of the sneaker.

It is a clear, precise presence, without distractions.
Every reflection follows the form, amplifying its proportions and volumes.

Technical definition
Natural leather (usually calf) finished with a glossy surface lamination process, obtained through the application of high-gloss transparent films or finishes.

The result is a smooth, uniform and reflective surface, with a high degree of luminosity and protection.

Key features

  • Uniform sheen → continuous and clean mirror effect
  • Smooth surface → absence of pronounced grain
  • High visual definition → enhances shapes and construction
  • Surface protection → greater resistance to marks and external agents

Usage notes (ANIMA artisan)

  • Perfect for surfaces with strong visual impact and great aesthetic precision.

ANIMA uses it to emphasize lines, volumes and proportions, transforming light into a design element.

To maintain the purity of the reflection, every cut and every seam is designed with extreme precision, avoiding unnecessary interruptions.

Its compact nature makes it suitable for defined processes, but requires rigorous control during assembly to preserve its uniformity.

Printed Pony

Living matter. Bold expression.

A surface you can feel even before you touch it.
The printed pony hair is visual energy and tactile depth: the short hair reflects light unevenly, creating continuous movement.

It is an instinctive, almost animal material.

Elegant, but never predictable.

The print adds an additional layer of expression: pattern, rhythm, identity.
Each piece becomes unique, like a reinterpreted natural fragment.

Technical definition.

Cowhide with hair (pony hair), processed by maintaining the natural surface of the coat and subsequently subjected to surface printing to apply patterns or graphic motifs.

The base retains the leather's structure, while the short hair generates a soft and directional texture.

Main characteristics

  • Strong identity → each piece is unique
  • Look: statement, editorial, high-fashion
  • Ideal use: Surface / Balance / "hero" details

Usage notes (ANIMA artisan)

  • To be used in protected areas to preserve the pattern over time

Connection

Premium Flat Cotton Laces
"The detail that connects ANIMA ORIGIN to the wearer."
The Connection (i.e. Laces) represents the bond between craftsmanship,
identity, and personalization that characterizes every ANIMA creation.
Made from premium quality cotton, they offer a
full and refined texture to the touch, high resistance
to daily use, and a carefully woven texture designed
to enhance the sneaker's aesthetic. Their 10 mm flat structure
gives them a contemporary and balanced look,
while ensuring a secure and comfortable fit.
Available in five selected shades, they are designed to
harmonize with the different leathers and finishes of the ANIMA Material Library:

  • White – essential, bright, and timeless.
  • Écru – warm, natural, and refined.
  • Black – bold, elegant, and versatile.
  • Bordeaux – intense, sophisticated, and distinctive.
  • Grey – modern, balanced, and discreet.


Each Connection is selected to ensure color uniformity,
durability, and an aesthetic result consistent with ANIMA's
high quality standards.

Specifications

  • Material: Premium quality cotton
  • Construction: Flat woven lace
  • Width: 10 mm
  • Available colors: White, Écru, Black, Bordeaux, Grey
  • Distinctive name: Connection

ANIMA created this system...

Not to create distance. But to add value. Each level tells a different way of experiencing the material: from purity to depth, from expression to exception. It's a journey. And every choice is a step into something more exclusive.

The result

You're not customizing a sneaker. You're defining your level of access to the ANIMA universe.

Color note (valid for all materials)

All ANIMA leathers are selected and managed to allow for broad chromatic freedom, from timeless classics to the most editorial special colours. The combination of materials is not merely an aesthetic pairing: it is an act of identity.