Footwear Collection

Footwear for Men and Women - The trends of the moment!

Let's explore some fundamental stages in the history of shoes!

It is challenging to establish exactly when footwear emerged in human history.

Initially it was created with perishable materials such as animal fur or wood, it had the task of protecting the foot and there are no historical finds documenting the first "models".

Fashion linked to footwear developed significantly with the advent of the modern age in the 16th century through the diffusion of some graphic representations that recalled the style of known cultures.

This phenomenon strengthened during the 19th century thanks to discoveries from past eras, and so fashion began to draw inspiration from such artefacts.

In this period, sciences such as anthropology, psychology and sociology begin to conduct research in this area, studying fashion.

It is in the 20th century that footwear acquired an influence and a position of great importance in fashion, and at the beginning of the century inspiration from the Art Nouveau style took hold, characterized by romantic and pure elements, with elongated toes, and footwear took on the shape of ankle boots and pumps.

In the years preceding the First World War, the fashion for the "Louis" heel spread, which takes up the eccentric and at the same time refined rococo style developed in France in the 18th century.

In Italy between the two wars, a fashion of its own began to be created, which could distinguish itself from the French one and become independent.

Two prominent figures stand out who contributed to giving a strong impulse to this project: Lydia De Liguoro and Fortunato Albanese.

The former had founded a magazine in 1919 dedicated to fashion and costumes. Despite being a glossy magazine, Lydia discouraged the purchase of excessively expensive clothing and footwear, as there was a widespread belief that, due to the economic crisis, it was not responsible to buy luxury products.

He had to review his position some time later due to concerns from industrialists, who feared that the sector could suffer further.

Fortunato Albanese proposed a project to the Ministry of Industry for the creation of a national institute for fashion.

After the Second World War, France established itself as a leader in the sector thanks to Coco Chanel, who brought a significant transformation of the concept of femininity and fashion design.

In our country, thanks to the contribution of Ferragamo which introduced cork wedge footwear, what would later be defined as "Made in Italy" began to consolidate.

Ferragamo can be considered the starting point for the development of Italian fashion in those years, and cities such as Florence, Milan and Rome compete to become the hub of fashion.

Subsequently, innovations came from England, in particular with regards to references to Pop Art. In the 1960s, footwear took on a more linear shape, heels had a wider base and the tips became rounded.

In the following decade, "Made in Italy" became increasingly established thanks to successful designers such as Gianni Versace, Giorgio Armani and Valentino. The last years of the last century present a more minimalist and rigorous trend, with black taking on a predominant role.

With the advent of the new millennium and globalization, new fashions are spreading that revolutionize previous history and take on characteristics never seen before.

The most significant transformation in the interpretation of consumer tastes is manifested in the phenomenon of sneakers, which from simple sneakers become the most sought after accessories, considered among the coolest of our era. This change involves all generations.

The first sneakers were created around 1850 with the introduction of the first rubber sole.

They are now considered fashion icons to be worn even with elegant, more sophisticated clothes and even at work. This success can be attributed to the fact that sport has become an integral part of the daily lifestyle of all individuals.

The increasingly strong customization of sneakers, with diversified colors and components, has also contributed to this evolution.

In recent years, sneakers are no longer seen as simple sports shoes, they have acquired a very important status, thanks to the impetus given by the luxury sector, as the most prestigious brands have started to include them in their collections.