Rossi
Sergio Rossi is an Italian footwear company, founded in 1951 in San Mauro Pascoli by homonymous fashion designer and entrepreneur, who followed in his father’s footsteps and started designing and producing shoes.
The birth and the success
Sergio Rossi started working with his father when he was 14 years old, but he founded his own company in 1951. It definitely stood out in the next decade, thanks to a womenswear collection, characterized by handmade craftsmanship and innovative design. Its success was also due to many partnerships with famous fashion designers and brands, such as Versace, which always made Sergio Rossi realize its shoes.
Since ’80s the company grew and diversified: so the bags and menswear collection were born and other partnerships started, such as the ones with Dolce&Gabbana and Azzedine Alaïa.
The changes of properties
In 1999 the company was acquired by Gucci group, which was able to use not only its endless productive ability, but also its communicative heritage. Under this leadership, in the company the first Creative Directors were appointed and replaced the founder, who haven’t designed shoes for much time: Edmundo Castillo held the position from 2006 to 2008, then he was replaced by Francesco Russo, until 2013, and by Angelo Ruggeri, who remained until 2016.
In 2016 the company came back to Italy, because it was acquired by Investindutrial. In the same year Riccardo Sciutto was appointed CEO, with the aim to find again the authentic identity of the brand and to bring it again to its past international success.
In order to reach the task, a new collection, inspired by historical archives, was produced; moreover, the marketing strategy was redefined, the website was revised and new aesthetic codes were used for stores and packaging. Furthermore, thanks to the collaboration with new President Andrea Morante, not-profitable stores were closed and franchising distributors were changed. In this way the brand was very appreciated by Hollywood stars again.
The death of Sergio Rossi and the future of the company
On 3rd April 2020 the founder of the company died in the Bufalini hospital, in Cesena, where he was admitted in the intensive care department because of complications due to COVID-19.
Then, in 2021, the company was acquired by Lanvin Group, which decided to give it a new path and raise it up again from years of descending turnovers: so it appointed Evangelie Smyrniotaki Creative Director, because her experience as influencer was seen as a resource for the growth of the brand in the digital world and the definition of a new image strategy. On 17th April 2023 Paul Kotrba was appointed CEO ad interim with the same tasks.
The most iconic creations
The icon of the brand is the Godiva décolleté, which has been being produced for many years and has been being reinvented every year with new materials and colors. Realized in black Napa leather and characterized by its high heel, it’s a timeless accessory, wearable in every season, night and day. The Cachet model was instead created by Francesco Russo in the occasion of the wedding between Salma Hayek and François-Henri Pinault.
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To read the item in Italian click here.