Celebrity shoe designer Gianvito Rossi talks Middle East expansion and sustainability initiative
DUBAI: In September 2022, Kim Kardashian posted a story on her Instagram showing 17 pairs of Gianvito Rossi pumps – in every colour. Elsewhere, Kate Middleton has been spotted wearing the luxury shoe label’s classic Gianvito 105 pumps to several official events. Queen Rania is also a fan.
Founded in 2006 by Gianvito Rossi, son of famed shoe designer Sergio Rossi, the label has become a celebrity closet staple. (supply)
Founded in 2006 by Gianvito Rossi, son of famed shoe designer Sergio Rossi, the label has become a celebrity closet staple for royalty and global A-listers alike.
Closer to home, the designer’s eponymous label will open its first flagship store in the UAE in early 2022, followed by a second store at Place Vendome in Qatar.
While the brand had a presence in the Middle East with partners such as Harvey Nichols and Bloomingdales, the opening of a flagship store speaks to its popularity within the region, as Arab News discovered in conversation with the designer.
“I think we’ve gotten to the point where we can shift our focus to the new rollout of store openings, and the Middle East is undoubtedly a huge opportunity for us,” Rossi said.
Saudi Arabia is next – the Kingdom will soon have its first Gianvito Rossi flagship store, which the designer is very excited about. “We saw a high demand for the brand in the region, so we felt it was time to introduce our collection across its range. The region is experiencing a bright trading moment, and we have great trading partners, so the combination of these factors naturally made this possible.
The region has been an important area—even in 2019, Rossi created an exclusive capsule collection for the Middle East. “I am always excited by the idea of creating something special for our most important partners, and I feel inspired by the idea of doing this for our Middle Eastern customers,” he explained.
Rossi grew up surrounded by shoes and credits his father for teaching him the tools of the trade. “I consider myself very lucky to have had the opportunity to learn about the entire process from him. He had an extreme focus on design and was always on the lookout to reach the perfect silhouette: that’s really the biggest lesson I learned from him ,” They said.
His father opened his own factory in 1951, which is now also the basis for the Rossi brand. After working with his father for 25 years, Rossi decided to branch out independently. Despite having degrees in sociology and political science, from a young age Rossi knew he was destined to make shoes – for him, it is a form of self-expression.
His wife and two children also play an important role in the company, making the label a quintessential Italian family business. Since the brand’s inception, Rossi has built a cult following for his shoes—cue his stilettos that are comfortable to wear and the label’s sophisticated silhouettes. “It’s a matter of constant study and careful research to reach perfection. I like to say that ‘the real luxury in shoes is in the pleasure of slipping them on,'” Rossi said.
One of her most iconic designs, the Plexi Pump, has been worn by celebrities including Amal Clooney and Meghan Markle. “I am proud to say that we are the first brand in luxury footwear to convert the use of Plexi into an individual trademark. The Plexi collection features a sophisticated translucent effect that elongates the female silhouette making the legs look longer.
Some of her other personal favorite models include the Portofino sandal for its modern and minimalist aesthetic and the 105 stiletto pump for its perfect proportions. While most of the brand’s shoes often feature restraint, their latest line, Jaipur, offers something extra – a huge gem on each shoe made by their expert craftsmen. It’s the first time the label has messed with the decor, Rossi explained.
“Jaipur Family is a style underlined by an eye-catching gem, an extravagant element inspired by the design I planned in Jaipur, India. I envisioned the treasures, colors and traditions of this amazing country, especially Known for some of the most amazing high jewelry worn by the Maharajas in the olden times,” he said.
Rossi kept Stone in the same color as the shoes to maintain the brand’s signature look—the less aesthetic is more.
In 2022, Rossi also collaborated with French clean beauty brand La Bouche Rouge to create a limited-edition capsule collection of refillable lipstick cases using leather upcycled from Schumacher’s production process. The partnership also speaks to Rossi’s sustainability initiatives – a cause the brand is committed to championing.
In addition to an exclusive refurbishment service that aims to repurpose old shoes into a new life, the brand continuously strives to reduce its CO2 emissions. “As a company, we took the first step towards sustainability a few years ago by reducing our CO2 impact by 60 percent by implementing the concept of circular economy. We are also working on reducing and recycling our waste. We aim to reach zero emissions by 2025 for the entire supply chain.