The Art of Berluti
A brief overview of Berluti, a renowned Paris-based luxury footwear label now available at Harry Rosen.
For over 120 years, the French shoemaker has been captivating the world with creations that many consider products of unbridled passion, sheer enthusiasm, and aristocratic opulence. In 2023, the brand continues to showcase its virtuosity through a range of offerings, including classic Oxfords, contemporary sneakers, briefcases, small leather goods, and more. This season, Berluti's ready-to-wear line has captured our attention.
Who is Berluti?
Originally a woodworker, Alessandro Berluti transitioned his skills to shoemaking when he first visited Paris at the age of 19. The city's creative decadence and artistic expansion drew his attention towards fashion. After spending a decade mastering the craft and creating bespoke shoes for esteemed clients and celebrities, he established his reputation as an exceptional shoemaker. In 1895, he released his first shoe, the 'Alessandro lace-up,' a remarkable wholecut leather Oxford.
Back at Paris Fashion Week
This year, Berluti made a notable return to the spotlight at Paris Fashion Week for the first time since 2021, unveiling a ready-to-wear collection that had true connoisseurs craning their necks for a closer look. While the Maison is acclaimed for its bespoke craftsmanship and unrivaled leatherwork, this year's ready-to-wear line surpasses even the loftiest of expectations associated with the brand. How did they accomplish this? For Berluti, it all comes down to embracing longevity—an art often lost in the upper echelons of the fashion world.
From footwear, bomber jackets, and knitwear to duffle bags and small leather goods like Oxford-shaped paperweights, each piece in the collection is born from one fundamental question: How will it withstand the test of time?
The Test of Time
Berluti confronts its reliability not only through its extraordinary craftsmanship but also by embracing wardrobe staples. Its key philosophy speaks through conventionality and purpose-driven pieces firmly rooted in reality. Century-old designs like the "Alessandro" lace-up have outlasted their contemporaries, and now, Berluti revisits these treasures, offering them humbly to be cherished in the present day. Signatures like the Scritto leather engraving, a tribute to the quickly disappearing art of calligraphy, reemerge in its ready-to-wear collection. It is a remarkable fusion of history, style, and, as they say, savoir-faire.
At the same time, Berluti breaks free from its own traditions by introducing newcomers such as the "Fast Track," a hybrid leather Oxford upper with a rubber trainer sole, and the active-oriented "Shadow" knit and leather sneaker. Berluti is not only an exceptional narrator of its past but also an ingenious innovator that embraces modernity. We are proud to expand our offerings from Berluti to you this season, as it continues to impress with their exceptional craftsmanship and visionary designs.
Visit our new Berluti shop at our Bloor Street Flagship , the only such shop in Canada.
