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# 78 APRIL 18 , 2016
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ITALIAN HANDCRAFTS:
Footwear of Riviera
del Brenta
By Camera di commercio di Venezia with Unioncamere
One of the oldest congregations of shoemakers
was founded in Venice in
the 13th century. The Statute of the Congregation
was reformed in 1268, the
year used to calculate the
duration of the Art of the
Calegheri. The seal of the
“Confraternita dei Calegheri” (Cobblers’ Confraternity) has remained a
badge for the sector for
centuries, which from Venice moved to the mainland – Riviera del Brenta –
where the art lives on and
thrives still today.
Riviera del Brenta is the
birthplace of footwear
that is recognised all over
the world for its craftsmanship, elegance and style.
In a word: its soul. Here, as
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of 1898, an ancient craft
became a modern industry, where know-how still
holds the value of craftsmanship, of being able
to combine passion and
expertise, taste and creativity with technology, efficiency and results.
This is Riviera del Brenta. Riviera del Brenta footwear is made up of
thousands of names and
actions. Created by far-seeing eyes, able to capture
inspirations and trends.
Sensed through the grain
of the leather. Shaped in
endless shades of colour.
Cut along the outline of
character and personality.
Made to resemble a woman, a man, and their desire for pleasure.
Every day, the designers’
creativity and intuition
draw upon skilled workers
to turn their ideas, visions
and projects into reality,
in over 500 small and medium-sized enterprises covering the full production
chain (from shoemakers,
manufacturers of footwear components, materials
and accessories, through
to professional shoe design studios).
Every day, styles, materials and colours find an
unexpected affinity, coming together to give life
to new fashions. Every day,
it relives a story of passion
and challenge: to fuel creativity and beauty, a task
that, first and foremost, is