INVESTING IN QUALITY
30TH ANNIVERSARY SERIES
Italian label Officine Creative was launched in 1998, producing contemporary artisan footwear. Made with hand-dyed leather, each pair of shoes goes through more than 100 processes, including authentic but meticulous techniques of washing, burnishing and dying. The result is a luxurious quality, unique to each individual product. This artisanal practice is the mantra of the brand, found in its Italian name of Officine Creative, meaning the "workshops" creative.
Why did you start designing footwear?
Footwear has always been a binding element within our family and is part of my DNA. my grandfather handed down his passion to my father, who has been able to enthuse our generation (Roberto, Luca and Paolo) over the beauty of this handicraft
What's your favourite part of the design process?
The most stimulating moment of the creative process goes beyond the process itself and results in the consent of the public for whom I create.
"...never give up on your ideas, on the beauty."
How do you define quality?
Every time I am asked this question there is one single word that pops up my mind, CRAFTSMANSHIP, which also encloses the essence of our brand. Quality to me also means never to give up on your idea, on the beauty. The impoverishment of the product in order to reach bigger margins allowing for discounted sales, with the sole purpose of quarterly profits, in my opinion is a recurrent mistake of our industry.
What’s special about the production of your brand?
Ongoing and never ending research on alternative and innovative construction techniques; a lateral thought on how to conceive and realize shoes considering most varied and often uncommon and unconventional treatments and finishings.
Who's your favourite author or musician?
With no doubt, Khruangbin and Umberto Eco.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
I am in love with what I am doing. “Choose the job you love and you will never work a day in your life” (Confucius)
