The historic business in Vigonovo (VE) has been a benchmark for quality and luxury women’s footwear for generations. ‘For three generations, we have been making quality footwear, combining the craftsmanship that sets us apart with continuous innovation in processes and materials,’ says Paola Smajato. Our focus is always on continuous improvement. We invest in training, technology and young talent. We want to create an environment where new ideas can grow and contribute to the renewal of the sector. We are custodians of a great heritage, our history continues to evolve, and we work with constant passion, expertise and vision.
Calzaturificio Valbrenta is known for its great collaboration with global luxury brands and emerging designers. What is the luxury customer looking for today?
Our focus remains on large fashion houses, key partners in volume and design complexity. We collaborate with emerging designers and innovative brands because we believe in young people and the value of talent. We offer technical and design support from the earliest stages, contributing to the growth of new visions that represent the future of the industry. In an ever-changing landscape, we respond by strengthening what sets us apart: flexibility, artisanal know-how, sustainability, and an aptitude for continuous improvement. Today, luxury customers, in addition to the product, require additional services such as responsiveness in development, speed in prototyping, co-design capabilities, and transparent quality management. Reducing minimum quantities for leaner collections is also an increasingly frequent necessity. Emerging brands also ask us for logistics management, a service we have always offered.
How do you see the current market situation?
Today the market is extremely volatile and competitive, but some clear signs are emerging. The countries that show the best propensity to buy are those with a strong tradition of luxury and stable demand for Made in Italy products. Central Europe, France and the United Kingdom remain key markets alongside North America, which continues to seek quality and service. At the same time, younger markets such as South Korea and Gulf countries are showing growing interest in premium and innovative products. The most sought-after product type combines contemporary aesthetics, comfort, and attention to materials: the end consumer is more informed, wanting sustainable, traceable, and durable garments. Brands transfer these requests throughout the supply chain. Projects with innovative components and advanced techniques are growing, including lighter workmanship and responsible materials.
How important is sustainability in fashion and for your brand in particular?
Sustainability is a central value for our company and the luxury brands we work with. Today, it is no longer just an ethical choice, but an essential requirement for competitiveness: end customers are more aware, brands are called upon to ensure transparency, and European regulations are becoming increasingly stringent. In the luxury sector, sustainability must coexist with excellence, without compromise: quality materials, traceable supply chains, responsible processes, and products destined to last. In this sense, Made in Italy represents a distinctive advantage, because it combines craftsmanship, productive culture, and attention to people. For us, sustainability means reducing environmental impact by using more responsible materials and processes. Enhancing human capital, people’s safety and well-being. Support the local supply chain, strengthening the community and tradition of the district. Finally, innovate continuously to make quality compatible with the future.
How do you feel as the new Vice President of Assocalzaturifici?
I feel honored and deeply committed. I continue to take care of my company and the area, but with a national perspective. I have great trust and esteem in my colleagues and especially in President Giovanna Ceolini”.
How much is fashion entrepreneurship and the very figure of the entrepreneur changing?
The traditional model, based only on product and creativity, is no longer sufficient. Today, the entrepreneur must be a figure capable of reading complex scenarios, innovating, and driving change. The main developments underway are the global and strategic vision, where business is no longer played out solely on the finished product, but supply chain, logistics, geopolitics, and digitalization are significantly influencing entrepreneurial choices. Sustainability becomes a competitive driver, a requirement for market access. Transparency, traceability and social responsibility are necessary entrepreneurial skills. The new entrepreneurship must also value young people and put contamination, co-design and collaborations with new brands at the centre. Not least, but significantly, inclusive people-oriented leadership is needed, because training, safety, and corporate culture are a real cornerstone.
If you were going out shopping today, which store would you go to and what fashion accessory would you buy?
I think I would choose a pair of shoes made by us: I know the quality of our work and I know how much value there is behind each model. In addition, I like to collect the products of the brands we work with – it’s a way to support our partners and bring a part of their project with me. At the same time, I would indulge in a tour of vintage markets, which are an inexhaustible source of inspiration. The historical courses and recurrences of fashion fascinate me: finding details, shapes, and materials from the past and reinterpreting them in a contemporary key adds depth to research and design.
Which designers have most impressed you recently?
Today there are many designers who are making interesting contributions, each with their own vision. I am particularly struck by those brands, both established and emerging, that manage to combine creativity, quality of materials and responsible research in production. I appreciate those who interpret heritage in a contemporary way, without losing focus on comfort, usability and sustainability. It is this balance between aesthetics and function that, in my opinion, truly represents the future of our industry. Not to mention our renowned Polytechnic Footwear Factory which “churns out” excellent designers every year.
What are the trends we will see emerge and dominate in the coming seasons?
In the coming seasons, we will see the emergence of an aesthetic that combines a desire for authenticity and a search for comfort. Fashion is returning to favor softer shapes, materials that are pleasant to wear and functional details, without sacrificing beauty. Consumers are increasingly attentive to what they wear: they want products that tell a story, that last over time, and that can express their identity in a personal, non-approved way.
