Ferrari and Berluti launch a Gentleman Driver shoe capsule collection

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
Oct 3, 2018

The high-end men’s fashion house Berluti and the world’s most famous race car, Ferrari, have united in common cause. Their goal? To create the perfect Gentleman Driver shoe.

 
The presidents of both brands revealed the partnership at a reception this week in Berluti’s Paris flagship at 9, rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré.
 
“We are old friends, since I used to live in the same apartment as John in Paris, bumping into Michel Platini in the elevator. But this is the first time our brands have worked together,” smiled Berluti president Antoine Arnault, as he introduced John Elkann, CEO of Ferrari.

“Berluti is a Franco-Italian brand.  Alessandro Berluti actually walked to Paris from Italy 120 years ago creating costumes en route for a theatrical troupe in Avignon, before focusing on shoes in Paris, to create an emblematic and legendary shoe and bootmaker,” added Arnault.
 
“I’m not myself an owner of a Ferrari,” continued Arnault, before Elkann interjected: “Yet!” to much laughter.
 
“We wanted to capture to special elegance of the Gentleman Driver of the '60s, which is why we launched, 10 days ago, the Monza SP1 and SP2 models. These are the lightest shoes that Berluti has ever done with a special grip and they capture that aesthetic,” stressed Elkann.

 
Besides a shared apartment building, they have other traits in common. Arnault’s father is the richest man in France; while Elkan’s grandfather was the richest man in Italy.
 
The collection features three key models. A Slip-On available in graphite black, brown and Berlinetta red; a Richelieu in Venezia leather, and a timeless Chelsea boot, each echoing the curvaceous lines of many Ferrari models. Though, in truth, even more emphasizing the understated elegance of the Paris brand than the glossy exuberance of the racecars from Modena. Even if the finely-honed leathers do recall the interiors of the high-powered autos with their signature leaping horse emblem.
 
All three models share similar industrial-looking rubber soles with carbon-fiber twill interiors, material used in actual Ferrari engines.  
 
Starting November, this collab capsule will begin retailing in Berluti boutiques and online. And those who purchase Ferrari Monza will also receive a pair of their choice of these footwear and a Berluti-designed wool racecar uniform. And, if they wish, order a tooled leather crash helmet.
 
Both brands are known for their exclusive customization. Berluti is the only menswear brand that provides both bespoke tailoring and custom-made shoes ; while Ferrari can customize every model to any tony client’s exact specification. Now, anyone can push their accelerator down inside a Ferrari with Berluti.