| Car Shoe Opens New Milan Flagship
 One
of Italy's most dynamic brands, Car Shoe, has opened a tony new Milan
flagship, underlining the ambitions of its owner, the Prada Group, for the
label.
Car Shoe actually shifted its global flagship down the street in one of
Milan's key luxury shopping arteries, transferring the boutique from number
50 Via della Spiga to number 1.
Designed by architect Roberto Baciocchi, the new space employs precious
materials throughout. Briarwood, alcantara and leather are used, as are
chromium plating and boiserie, suggesting the ambience of a luxury auto in a
clever example of modern sobriety.
Baciocchi is the Italian architect who has been designing Prada and Miu
Miu stores since 1982, and has created spaces for shoemaker Church,
watchmaker Girard Perregeaux and yachting specialist Spinnaker.
Founded in 1963 by artisan Gianni Mostile, who shared a passion for both
racecars and hand-made shoes, Car Shoe is best known for its signature
moccasin whose sole boasts tiny rubber nubs. The inventive footwear even
earned a patent from the Italian Ministry of Industry and Trade and a
following among powerful men known as style icons - Giovanni Agnelli, JFK
and Roberto Rossellini, to name three.
Prada acquired control of Car Shoe in 2001, opening flagship stores in
Milan and Capri in the next two years and introduced the line into over 200
major boutiques internationally. Spring-summer 2004 saw the launch of its
first bag collections.
Its classical driving shoe is now available in a wide range of colours
and leathers, and even in a new children's collection.
Under Prada's control, Car Shoe has enjoyed excellent sales growth. Its
2005 turnover of 17 million euros ($21 million) represented a remarkable
180% surge in sales from 6 million euros ($7.5 million) in 2004.
The label is planning more store openings in Italy in the short term and
in Europe and New York in the medium term, while considering opportunities
in emerging markets. It should. A recent tour of markets in Beijing by FWD
confirmed that Car Shoe is one of the half dozen most copied labels in the
Chinese capital. |
Milan is increasingly giving Paris a run for its money as the nerve
center of chic — with sky-high prices to match its exclusive retail
offerings. In the city's Duomo area, on the Via Monte Napoleone, Via della
Spiga and in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, you'll find elegant boutiques
and posh cafés housed in romantic Victorian-era buildings. Elaborate
displays make window shopping here an event in itself, especially during
major fashion shows. In addition to the usual names in fine fashion, the
area also is home to La Rinascente, Milan's most popular department store; 9
Peck, a renowned gourmet food store; and Provera, a favorite for its vintage
wine selection. If you're not inclined to spend, you can get an eyeful of
well-heeled Italians casually modeling the latest fashions.
Half
Day Private Fashion and Shopping Tour of Milan
The Chedi Milan Hotel
