Sergio Rossi

Sergio Rossi fabbrica, San Mauro Pascoli

Founded in 1951 in San Mauro Pascoli, the brand takes the names from its homonymous founder Sergio Rossi, who has inherited from his shoemaker father the tools and the traditions of an artisan. In the early years, he worked through the winter making sandals that he would later sell on the beaches of Rimini and to boutiques in Bologna. One such model, the Opanca was one of the most popular: it was a simple but bold sandal, in which the sole curved gently around the foot becaming a single whole with the upper part of the shoe. In the 1968, the first shoes bearing the Sergio Rossi signature were produced, marking the first official collection. According to Vogue, during the 1960s, the company, “quickly became synonymous with Italian quality and classic feminine designs”.

Sergio Rossi shoes soon became famous for the particular use of geometric patterns and color. The brand became popular in the 1970s, also thanks to collaborations with well-known designers, including Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, and Azzedine Alaïa. In 1980 the expansion process began in Italy and abroad, with the opening of the first single-brand boutiques in Ancona and then Turin, Florence, Rome, Brussels, New York, Los Angeles, and London. In 1999, the PPR Luxury Division, known as Gucci Group, acquired 70% of the shares of Sergio Rossi for a value of approximately 96 million dollars. Six years later, the group that became Kering bought the remaining 30%, obtaining the full control of Sergio Rossi brand. In 2015 the company has been sold to the InvestIndustrial holding and Riccardo Sciutto has been appointed CEO with the aim of restoring the historic footwear brand to its authentic DNA. The strategy: go back to the origins in order to grow.

In June 2021 Fosun Fashion Group (FFG) announces that it has signed the agreement to acquire 100% of Sergio Rossi S.p.A. [4] and Riccardo Sciutto is confirmed as Chief Executive Officer. Fosun Fashion Group (“FFG”), the global luxury fashion group whose Chairman is Joann Cheng, has rebranded to Lanvin Group in October 2021, emphasizing the clear vision and goal of building and expanding a portfolio of luxury fashion brands. Today, Lanvin Group's portfolio includes luxury brands such as Lanvin, Sergio Rossi, Wolford, St. John Knits, and Caruso counting more than 1000 points of sales in more than 60 countries, 200 retail stores, and 3500 employees across the world.

Sergio Rossi considered shoemaking as a continuous reflection on form, harmony and elegance. Main principles which still guide the brand and which are expressed in the handmade creations created by skilled craftsmen. A perfect pair of Sergio Rossi shoes requires a minimum of 120 different processes to be made.

Magic Kingdom is how the factory is usually called, located in San Mauro Pascoli is the heart and soul of the brand, where each product comes to life. The San Mauro production plant, which was inaugurated in 2003, today counts a total of 55.600 square-meter: 12.000 square-meter of production and warehouse area and 4.000 square-meter building housing the offices, the pattern and prototype departments. San Mauro’s industrial platform can develop, industrialize and produce all types of women’s and men’s luxury footwear, from flatstyles to high heels. Sergio Rossi S.p.A. thanks to its factory, it’s able to produce on behalf of third parties, dealing entirely with the creation and distribution of other brands. Today the company produces, among others, also for Amina Muaddi.

“Sustainability” for Sergio Rossi means being able to pursue quality and artisanal excellence while fostering environmental protection and social responsibility, through the integration of economic, environmental and social aspects within all business processes and functions and by setting dedicated short and long-term goals intended to progressively improve its corporate sustainability performance. These goals are established in accordance with the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Initiative, of which Sergio Rossi is a member. Sergio Rossi is strongly committed to conducting business legally and in accordance with the highest ethical standards, by actively working against all forms of corruption, including extortion and bribery. In 2020, 100% of all electricity used for the brand's factory, offices and shops was produced from renewable sources.

Sergio Rossi shoes have always been very popular on the red carpet and many celebrities have worn them, including Eva Longoria, Sharon Stone, Diane Kruger, Ludivine Sagnier, Anne Hathaway, Karolína Kurková, [32] Amanda Seyfried, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Naomi Campbell, Sarah Jessica Parker, Vanessa Hudgens, Halle Barry, Eva Herzigová, Cate Blanchett, Naomi Watts, Nicole Kidman, Lupita Nyong'o, Emmy Rossum, Priyanka Chopra, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Nazha, Lizzo, Rita ORa and Janice Man. Sergio Rossi’s shoes have been featured in the following works:

• Anita Ekberg wears a pair of Sergio Rossi in Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita, 1959; • Beyoncé wears a pair of gladiator boots in her music video “Run The World” (Girls), 2011; • Silvana Mangano wears a pair of Sergio Rossi in the film “Gruppo di famiglia in un interno” by Luchino Visconti, 1974; • Pedro Almodóvar's Spike Heels movie poster shows a pair of Sergio Rossi shoes; • The Cachet model is worn by Madonna in her video clip “Give Me All Your Luvin”; • Blair Waldorf wears a pair of Sergio Rossi in Gossip Girl TV series;

Sergio Rossi's early advertising campaigns were inspired by the work of Helmut Newton, using low-angled shots to highlight the length of the legs and body, and focusing on the height and shape of the heel.[1] In 2011, the company opened a shop dedicated to men's shoes in Milan in collaboration with Wallpaper* magazine,[2] designed by architect Antonino Cardillo.[3] In 2012, the company released a short-film, Skin to Skin, in collaboration with director Luca Guadagnino.[4]

• Official website