Berluti recently showcased its appealing Sky Running trail-style sneaker at a presentation featuring various shoes. This distinctive sneaker boasts a specially crafted Vibram sole, enhanced stitched leather mudguards, and a combination of suede leather and mesh uppers in multiple tonal colorways.
Amidst the array of footwear displayed, the Sky Running stood out as the sole new addition, gaining particular attention due to its upcoming role in outfitting over 800 French athletes and representatives at the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony. The anticipation surrounding its prominence at the event was evident, and Berluti’s Harold Israel remained discreet when pressed for details.
The presentation also introduced the Berluti Editions series, unveiling the revival of the Rapiecé Reprisé (patched darned) collection originally crafted by Olga Berluti in 2005. Reflecting on the collection, she stated, “In the past, in the 16th and 17th centuries, men never wore new clothes.” The stitched-patched shoes and bags showcased during the event paid homage to the house’s heritage, featuring fancifully named and richly burnished colors.
Berluti’s Menswear Collection for Fall 2024 (Credits: Vogue)
Notably, Berluti’s innovative approach was revealed by Israel – the brand was not merely selling pairs of these unique shoes but offering trios. By including one unstitched shoe with a stitched pair, customers were given the freedom to mix and match their footwear on a daily basis, embodying the brand’s eccentric and distinctive style.
The presentation commenced with a display of classic house shoe styles, such as the Alessandro and the Andy, showcasing the colorways of the season. The craftsmanship involved in creating these shoes, particularly evident in the pale plum-toned Oxfords, left a lasting impression. Despite the season’s emphasis on footwear, which included the introduction of a grained square-toe style, the collection also featured a selection of clothing items.
Berluti seemed to acknowledge that its footwear and bags were the stars of the show, with the clothes serving as complementary accessories. Among these accessories were clubby jeans crafted from new-for-Berluti Japanese denim, an oxblood mink-lined perfecto, a leather “corduroy” trucker jacket, and, of course, a cashmere gilet.
