The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2022 - Issue 32

Luciano biteshoes N ot much is known about Italian-born de- signer Luciano Padovan, except he was born in Venice in 1955, started his shoe- making journey in the ‘70s and became a highly skilled high-heel artisan in last sculpting, leather craftsmanship and production technique. After working as a creative director at Bruno Magli, Hugo Boss and Thierry Mugler, he established his namesake brand in 1997, provid- ing the fashion world and celebrities with luxuri- ous handmade shoes and leather goods. As one of the leading shoe designers in bel paese (Italy’s classic poetical appellative for beautiful country), art and design formed his inspirations and significant motivations. Padovan's hand- made high-quality leather goods epitomise the Italian way of life and style, where artisans have passed down aged-old traditions over the genera- tions. His shoes add glamour, luxury and comfort to everyday wares and Hollywood’s red-carpet events. Padovan’s bold and playful high-heel designs crafted for perfect comfort and produced in the shoe district of Parabiago, near Milan, are made from refined materials, with colour-matching and attention to detail. They have made appearances in Sex and the City alongside those of Manolo Blahnik and editorial publications like Giola in 2009, Grazia in 2010, Elle in 2011, Cosmopolitan in 2013, Vogue in 2014 and D Republica in 2015. Architectural lighting manufacturer Novalux Ita- lia acquired the luxury shoe brand through Swed- ish funding company Novargus in 2015. Alexa Wagner was appointed as the creative director to enrich the brand’s heritage, presented through her SS18 Padovan Milano collection at the opening of Novalux’s first flagship store at Corso Venezia 21, Porta Venezia, Milan. Padovan Milano represent- ed the luxury segment, and Luciano Padovan the premium. The brand returned to Italian ownership in 2020 after Giorgio Innocenti bought Luciano Padovan from Novargus and appointed Mario Dice (previ- ously Valentino, Versace, D&G and Calvin Klein) as the creative director. “We are proud to have brought back to Italy a brand like Luciano Pado- van, which in recent decades, the footwear market has conquered an important role,” he commented. “Giving new light to this project in such a difficult year involves a rebirth not only for the brand but for the entire company.” Whilst this occurred during the pandemic when most women had resorted to wearing low-heeled shoes or sneakers, Dice recognised the lockdown had changed our habits but believes the desire to get back into heels was still there. Innocenti agreed, “From the market, it emerged that acces- sories and, in particular, heels are part of every- day life,” he said. “Now the desire to get dressed has grown again [after] reaction to months and months of forced isolation.” Dice approached the AW21 collection from the standpoint of the brand’s strong identity and DNA, retracing its history and referencing its tradition whilst adding his style and taste without disrupt- ing it. Unlike the previous owners, the creative di- rector did not include sneakers since he desired to “put the woman back in heels, an accessory that gives elegance, beauty and femininity.” He also stressed the skin is the envelope that encloses our body, so the leather shoe is one with the foot. The campaign video for the collection, inspired by Italian craftsmanship and quality, was filmed in a museum decorated with renaissance paintings, busts, artefacts, chandeliers and marble floors. The models showcased the classically beautiful bright, dark and soft colours stilettos with intricate em- broideries and polished finishes in different rooms and halls that make you desire one of these de- lightful masterpieces. Here it represents a strong woman determined by her choices and independ- ence and does not renounce her femininity. Luciano Padovan is synonymous with the excel- lence and luxury of ‘Made in Italy’, demonstrat- ing innovative fashion-forward and edgy designs across an extensive range of ladies’ heels, boots and premium accessories. For AW22, feast your eyes on seductive stilettos, elegant court shoes and embellished boots in a palette ranging from simple tans to vibrant rainbow hues such as the Monica Sandal, a laminated nappa and satin shoe with leather laces and knot details, signature fuch- sia leather sole and a 95 mm lined heel. The gorgeous Alaska and Dallas sandals in black or fuchsia made from satin feature an elegant rouche around the ankle straps. It continues with the Plateau Sandal Hawaii, designed with a satin platform with a 130 mm covered heel and ankle strap, rouche upper and custom fuchsia leather sole. More straightforward is the open-toe Chica- go Sandal in silver with simple lines in laminated nappa, a 95 mm heel and completed with an ankle strap. Another specific design is the Philadelphia Pump shoe with lux kappa, wavy leather details, and the standard 95 mm lined heel. Celebrities have worn Luciano Padovan shoes like Penelope Cruz, Jessica Biel, Britney Spears, Lucy Liu, and Kate Hudson. The brand is current- ly present in Italy in Milan, Bologna, Naples and other cities and has an online shop where shoes can be purchased quickly and efficiently. https://lucianopadovan.it Padovan