Author
Packaging Director
Published
May 28th, 2026
Length
3 Minutes
Last week in Milan, IDP Direct exhibited at Packaging Première 2026, connecting with brands across the luxury market.
The show was a strong opportunity to present not only what we make, but how we think: through structure, production control, material intelligence, and brand-led execution.
With our Italian team present on the ground, the event also reflected IDP Direct’s global reach. Our teams work across regions, but our approach remains consistent: creative packaging development supported by factory-direct manufacturing and practical production knowledge.
The Dog Bag
The star of the show was our custom dog bag: a bright blue and green origami Scottish Terrier shopping bag designed specifically for Packaging Première 2026.
The concept was created to be memorable, dimensional, and production-aware. Built as a triangular, three-sided bag, the structure pushed beyond a standard shopper while still functioning as a usable packaging piece.
Details included:
- UV gloss printing for contrast and surface impact
- A three-sided triangular construction
- Dimensional folded paper elements
- A pop-up tail feature that added movement and character
The result was playful, but not decorative for decoration’s sake. It showed how a bag can become a communication tool; one that carries the brand, starts conversations, and demonstrates what is possible through engineered paper construction.
Built for Production Possibility
For IDP Direct, innovation is not only about visual impact. It is about understanding what can be made, repeated, finished, packed, shipped, and delivered with consistency.
The dog bag was designed to explore how structure, print, and folding can work together within a functional packaging format. Its shape created immediate shelf presence, while the production details showed how creativity can still remain grounded in real manufacturing logic.
This is where IDP Direct’s factory-direct model becomes essential. Because we work closely with our own production teams, we can test ideas through the lens of feasibility from the beginning, not after the concept has already been sold.
Avant-Garde Recognition
For the second year in a row, IDP Direct was featured in the show’s Avant-Garde exhibit, this time highlighting our Maison Margiela Tabi Collector Box as part of the design category.
The collector box was designed around the identity of the Tabi itself, translating the split-toe silhouette into a structural packaging concept. Rather than functioning as a standard shoebox, the piece was developed as a collectible object, with construction details that supported both product presentation and brand storytelling.
Its inclusion in Avant-Garde 2026 reinforced the same idea we brought to the stand: luxury packaging is strongest when concept, structure, material, and production are developed together.
Looking Ahead
IDP Direct’s presence at Packaging Première 2026 focused on what we do best: transforming brand ideas into packaging that is distinctive, functional, and ready for production.
Last week gave us space to connect with the market, share new ideas, and show how factory-direct execution supports more informed packaging development from the first sketch to the final handoff.
