A history of luxury
Step from day to night in style with René Caovilla’s most versatile collection yet
Worn by some of the world’s best-dressed stars including Nicole Kidman, Jessica Chastain, Gigi Hadid and Rihanna, René Caovilla’s beautifully embellished shoes transform even the simplest of outfits into something truly spectacular. Founded in 1934 by Edoardo Caovilla, the Italian footwear label’s history begins in the town of Fiesso D’Artico, an area near Venice that is famed for shoe production, where art and artisanship go together as naturally as the left and right foot.
Inspired by a dream to create unique fashion pieces that express the beauty and power of every woman who wears them, Edoardo followed his intuition and singlehandedly opened a workshop to create bejeweled shoes with love, passion and excellence. Sharing the same creative vision and passion, Edoardo and his team of artisans dedicated themselves over the years to making their dream come true, passing the secrets of trade from generation to generation. In the 1950s, Edoardo’s son, René, took over the Venetian shoemaking business, referencing age-old Italian traditions and showcasing couture-like craftsmanship to create exquisitely opulent footwear. In 2001, René was awarded the honorable title of Cavaliere del lavoro by the Italian Order of Merit for Labour, as a mark of respect for his achievements in the fashion world and economic contributions to the country.
Today, the brand is helmed by another Edoardo, the nephew of the eponymous founder. Since taking over in 2010 as Creative Director & CEO, he has injected his own creative flair, bringing about a new era of evolution for the age old classic.
It takes an average of 48 hours to handcraft a pair of René Caovilla shoes, with each meticulous step done to the highest level to eliminate even the slightest imperfection. Inside the atelier, trays of sparkly crystals shimmer on the artisans’ tables, with state-of-the-art computers sitting alongside. From dazzling sandals and pumps to sneakers and espadrilles, every design journey starts from scratch – from a few artistic strokes on paper, to the initial rendering on the computer and finally with the physical form being presented.
What are the key styles to look for this season? The label’s iconic Veneziana Vina is reimagined as a chic slingback – one of SS19’s key shoe shapes – with a flawlessly prized glassy PVC bodice and pin-thin stiletto heel. Amidst a sea of opulent embellishments, gems and stones poke out of the metallic embroidery, appearing to float in mid-air for a retro-futuristic look. Consider yourself more of a minimalist dresser? The reinvigorated Krisabrita sandal is guaranteed to appeal. With an exquisite focus on lines, curves and materials, Krisabrita beautifully illustrates the René Caovilla creative process, allowing the pleasure of drawing to inform the final shape of the shoe.
The label also has your daytime footwear needs covered, too, with the Kanika Boot Maxi Strass and the Xtra Sneaks. Taking the form of an archetypically masculine biker boot, the Kanika Boot Maxi Strass is elevated to a luxurious style statement with its opulent gemstone embellishment. Crafted from white leather and embellished with a contrasting beige suede detail and tiny tonal rhinestones, the lace-up Xtra Sneaks are an essential component of a modern wardrobe. Every shoe you need to step into SS19 in style.