June 17, 2019 |
A shoe is not a shoe unless it carries the “Made in Italy” label on its sole. And of those shoes carrying the label, Santoni’s are one of the superior ones. Launched in 1975 and developed as a multi-generational family business, Santoni not only became one of the leading Italian shoe brands but have also expanded its conversation beyond a classic, dapper Oxford. Over this past weekend, as part of Milan Fashion Week, the brand presented their latest, SS20 collection of shoes, furthering this exploration to even greater levels.
On one hand, they are perfecting the classic icons. Deepness, a new patina of leather reflects a pictorial process featuring a gradient effect that gradually shifts from the intense tones of the sole, moving upwards to lighter ones in an artistic play of nuances. A classic brogue silhouette is transformed into today via this technique. The SS20 collection was shown with the enchanting surroundings of Palazzo Gallarati Scotti as its backdrop, the past and present coming together beautifully. A prime example are the sandals and espadrilles, embellished by handmade details and their signature double buckle. And on the modern side of the story, it’s an expanded collection of trainers – the new Gym shape carries retro lines in a range of colours, with a natural and ultra flexible rubber sole. A bit of 1980s, a bit of 1970s, all crafted with 2019 technologies. Recontextualizing what the “Made In Italy” label stands for, Santoni are giving a whole new meaning to tradition and craftsmanship. Which pair of to choose? One of each, thank you very much.
