Latest news with #luxuryfootwear
Arab News
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Malone Souliers designers talk Middle East ties and signature looks
DUBAI: As luxury footwear brand Malone Souliers continues to evolve under new creative leadership, its designers open up about their connection to the Arab world, their design process and why wearability always comes first. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ Since its creation in 2014 by Mary Alice Malone, footwear label Malone Souliers has built a cult following. From Beyonce sporting a bespoke pair of fringed boots during a performance to Jennifer Lawrence stepping out in their iconic 'Maureen' pumps, the brand's celebrity fanbase is long-standing and ever-growing. A post shared by Malone Souliers (@malonesouliers) Known for its distinctive silhouettes, rich colour palettes and sculptural lines, the brand has carved out a significant niche in the luxury footwear space. Under the creative direction of Coco Fong and Valerio Bava, the London-based label is evolving — staying true to its design roots while embracing new ideas and deepening its presence in the Middle East. While both designers officially assumed their roles in 2023, their journey with the brand began much earlier. 'We've been part of the brand for a long time — I joined two years after it was founded. Now that we're leading the creative, it feels like a natural continuation of something we've always helped shape,' Bava said. A post shared by Malone Souliers (@malonesouliers) Their aesthetic blends feminine silhouettes with subtle nods to nostalgia, drawing inspiration from vintage references, pop culture and personal memories. While rooted in storytelling, their designs remain grounded in practicality — shoes made to be worn, not just admired. 'I think at the end of the day, we're both quite practical in how we think. That mindset naturally comes through in the shoes — we never want them to feel overly fussy or difficult to wear. I want to be able to slip them on easily, and I want my mum to feel the same. We design shoes that are meant to be lived in,' Fong said. A post shared by Malone Souliers (@malonesouliers) Craftsmanship is critical to the Malone Souliers approach. The brand's shoes are made primarily in Italy, with a close relationship between the designers and the artisans who bring each prototype to life. From sketch to sample, wearability is considered at every stage. 'Even the most expressive designs go through rounds of testing to ensure they're comfortable and durable. We take that process seriously,' Bava said. In the brand's journey, the Middle East has emerged as one of its most engaged markets. 'The region has become one of our biggest champions,' Fong said. 'We receive consistent feedback — from buyers, from clients — and that dialogue has helped shape the way we design. There's a real openness and honesty from customers here, and that has made the relationship incredibly valuable.' In 2022, the brand partnered with Arab designer Dima Ayad on an exclusive capsule facilitated by footwear department store Level Shoes. The collaboration highlighted Malone Souliers' interest in working with regional creatives and marked the beginning of a more localised strategy. 'I think what really connected us was her love of color and materials, which aligns closely with what we value in our own designs,' Fong said. 'The silhouettes were kept simple, but there was a strong focus on texture and detail — plisse, pleats, shimmer, lurex and mesh—all elements we naturally gravitate towards in our collections.' A post shared by Malone Souliers (@malonesouliers) Looking ahead, the brand is continuing to expand its product offering, including a growing accessories line. When asked to choose one style that encapsulates their joint creative direction, Fong and Bava point to the Roxanne — a mule with a new block heel, combining comfort and simplicity but equally cool. 'It's the kind of shoe we've always aimed to create. It feels modern, feminine and very much in line with what Malone Souliers stands for today,' Bava said.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Luxury Footwear Brand Moreschi Acquired by Fellow Italian Label and British Fund
Storied Italian luxury footwear brand Moreschi has found a pair of white knights. Glam Srl, the company behind the Superglamourous shoe brand, and its investor, the London-based Imerman Family Office fund, have taken over the Moreschi brand. More from WWD Where Deals and Value Are Happening Now Front Row Acquires Shopify Partner Agency, Build in Amsterdam More Key Changes for Flos B&B Group as Marketing, Sustainability Chief Moves to Dexelance They won the auction set up by the Court of Pavia, Italy, which had declared Moreschi bankrupt in 2024. The brand was previously owned by the Swiss fund Hurleys. The acquisition includes the Moreschi trademark, all related intellectual property, machinery and in-house materials. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The joint acquisition builds on the existing relationship between the Imerman Family Office and Glam Srl, as the former invested in the latter last year becoming its majority stakeholder. The new owners are committed to resurrect Moreschi, known primarily for its luxury men's formal shoes, in addition to a women's line, by leveraging Superglamourous' digital-first expertise and capabilities. The latter brand, established by Andrea Usuelli and Riccardo Libertino in 2012, is best known for its slippers defined by bold designs. Moreschi was established by Mario Moreschi in 1946 in Vigevano, Italy — a renowned shoe manufacturing hub located about 30 miles southwest of Milan, which has partially lost its prominence in recent years. In the wake of the acquisition, manufacturing of Moreschi shoes is to continue in Italy. Building synergies between Moreschi's heritage and Superglamourous' digital-first DNA will be instrumental in fueling renewed growth for the former brand and provide a strong business-to-business footprint for the latter. The two companies will continue to operate as independent brands, leveraging shared operational infrastructures. 'Moreschi's legacy in Italian shoemaking is unparalleled. Our goal is to build on that heritage, evolving the brand with thoughtful innovation while staying true to its core values of craftsmanship, elegance and timeless design,' said Bianca Ladow, director of the Imerman Family Office and director of Glam Srl and Moreschi. 'The partnership plans to leverage Superglamourous's digital expertise and Moreschi's renowned craftsmanship to create a unique offering in the luxury footwear market. This acquisition underscores a commitment to preserving Made in Italy craftsmanship and artisans while adapting to the evolving landscape of luxury retail,' Ladow said. As part of the new business plan, the existing Moreschi showroom on Milan's Via Manzoni will be home to both brands' collections, while a new unit is to bow on London's Mount Street, where Superglamourous already operates its own exhibition space. The Moreschi flagship on Via Manzoni and the Superglamourous store on Corso Venezia, both in Milan, will be strategically enhanced with a stronger direct-to-consumer focus, the new owners said. 'Moreschi represents a pillar of Italian artisanal heritage. This is not just a revival, it's a long-term vision to honor tradition while embracing transformation. By combining Moreschi's legacy with the strategic agility of Glam, we are creating a structure pivotal to sustainable growth and global reach,' Usuelli said. According to market sources Moreschi's estimated revenues at the peak of its business success stood just south of 50 million euros. 'We see in Moreschi the kind of elegance that transcends time, understated, yet deeply expressive. This is an extraordinary opportunity to reframe that refinement for a new generation, bringing a modern sensibility to materials, proportions and styling, all while remaining faithful to the brand's DNA,' Libertino said. The Imerman Family Office is helmed by businessman Vivian Imerman and is part of Vasari, a consumer-focused investment group with decades of experience owning and operating companies focused on branded goods and alcoholic beverages in Europe, Asia and Africa. Best of WWD All the Retailers That Nike Left and Then Went Back Mikey Madison's Elegant Red Carpet Shoe Style [PHOTOS] Julia Fox's Sleekest and Boldest Shoe Looks Over the Years [Photos] Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
