5 Minutes With Italian Shoe Designer, Roberto Festa

Roberto Festa spring/summer ’21 campaign

Roberto Festa

Roberto Festa has footwear design in his DNA, as one of his earliest memories was visiting his father’s shoe factory. And now, he’s the third-generation of shoemakers in his family and is carrying on the Festa legacy, with craftsmanship and quality at the very heart of the brand.

Designer and Founder Roberto Festa

roberto festa

Festa used this knowledge, and in 2001 worked as a shoe designer for some of the most significant Italian labels, until he took the leap, and established his own brand, Roberto Festa Milano in 2009. Since then, the company has grown to now employ 150 people, with the collections being sold in 50 countries. Loved for both its style and craftsmanship, the designs also don that classic Italian gioia di vivere that calls to the summer.

Roberto talks process, luxury, and his career highlight to date.

Roberto Festa spring/summer ’21 campaign

Roberto Festa

Felicity Carter: How would you sum up the aesthetic of your shoes?

Roberto Festa: My aesthetic is focused on two important points. Firstly, high quality materials, and secondly, Italian creativity.

I always have these in mind when I design and create new ideas, as my shoes have to to be of the highest quality at all times, and it’s important to me to follow and push Italian style, so I am constantly researching and customizing fabrics and leather colors.

ANABEL

roberto festa

FC: What is luxury to you?

To me, luxury is when everything looks aesthetically beautiful, it doesn’t matter the price, beauty never devalues!

FC:Who is your customer?

My customer is a dynamic, self assured and confident. She’s also an independent woman who always underlines her true femininity, always paying close attention to details.

EDITH

roberto festa

FC: What collection are you designing at the moment, and what is on your mood board?

I’m working on the spring/summer 2022 collection, and on my mood board there’s a range of travel references, parties, colors, soft materials, and craftsmanship. After this sad time, it’s important to spread positive and joyful messages, my shoes have to be happy!

MILO

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FC: Where are your pieces made, and what’s the process?

My pieces are all made in Italy. It all starts from the mood board, an image, a quick sketch and then I search for the right shape, heel, and leather to follow the idea. I work on the prototype from the heel to the right thread color, everything has to be perfect for the final sample.

CLAIRE

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FC: What has been your career highlight to date, and what’s next for the brand?

Well, I have to say every time a customer of mine writes to me to tell me about their shoes it’s always a great satisfaction! Recently I collaborated with Chiara Ferragni, one of the most influential women in the fashion industry, it has been an honour and pleasure being involved in that project. I hope to partner with other European influencers in the future too.

See the full range on robertofesta.it.