Our history

From the 1940s to today

40S

RECKLESSNESS

After the end of the war, Europe laboriously returned to normality. These are the years of neorealist cinema, of a rediscovered femininity in fashion, of Frank Sinatra and Humphrey Bogart. The shops are missing everything but ordinary people find incredible resources to cope with the crisis. It was precisely then that a very young Renzo Rossetti and his brothers began, almost by chance, to deal with sports shoes. The unknowns outweigh the certainties but the determination is such that the first shoes produced are worn by Italian figure skating and hockey champions.

“Maybe it was a certain amount of... youthful recklessness that supported us and kept us going. Recklessness? Will? Unable to stop? I've never understood it: probably the three things combined."

50S

THE FIRST BIG STEPS

The Rossettis soon realized that the sports shoe market did not offer them any further outlets and, without hesitation, they decided to start over and begin the adventure of producing leather shoes. We work day and night, with a lot of passion but very few means. Previous experience comes in handy: some women's ballet flats and some men's models are made with an extremely flexible manufacturing process adopted for sports shoes. Not only that: for some processes we move from manual sewing to that with Goodyear machines, as had already been done for cycling shoes.

The first Rossetti collection was born with a line that stood out from the other proposals of the time, all very similar.

In 1958 the first factory opened in via Gajo in Parabiago, where research and loyalty to a functional style laid the foundations for the future of the company.

60S

THE REBELLION

The Rossettis became increasingly demanding of themselves and, determined to achieve excellence, studied the work of the great bespoke shoemakers, establishing excellent relationships with the best craftsmen of the moment.

At the same time they realize that, although the vertigo of change is felt everywhere, footwear has remained anchored to old models. Working on the shape and leather, the Rossetti Brothers thus began their revolution.

We experiment with colors: the "antiqued" shoe, which recalls the veins of oil paint, and the "brushed" treatment are born; new and unusual materials are used such as ostrich, python, vegetable leather and peccary, a material used only for gloves. The aesthetics are also renewed: to move away from the classic pointed shapes, space is given to moccasins, ankle boots and particular details

Work increases and more space is needed: in 1968 a new factory is opened in Parabiago. In 1969 Renzo Rossetti flew to New York where Made in Italy found its first conquering ground.

70S

COLLABORATIONS

While maintaining their identity firmly and refusing to hide their name behind big brands, the Rossetti Brothers work alongside the big names that will mark the history of fashion. They are collaborations based on mutual listening that constitute the cultural and emotional heritage of the Rossetti Brothers.

A young Giorgio Armani designed a beautiful series of Yacht models, the new leisure line born in those years.

Valentino, Pierre Cardin, Yves Saint Laurent, Mila Shön, Gucci, Ferragamo, Karl Lagerfeld and Dumas Hèrmes: thanks to these inspired collaborations, the research and craftsmanship of the Rossettis joins the most creative minds of our times with unique results.

In 1971 the first women's shoes were created; it is the period of unisex fashion, in which men's clothing draws from women's and women's clothing conforms to men's. Among other influences, it is worth noting the great success of straps with metal clips that snap open like the most precious watch models.

1977 saw the launch of Green, a youth line that focused mainly on penny-loafer style moccasins.

80S

FAMILY IDENTITY

The designers Massimo and Lella Vignelli create the new logo of the Rossetti Brothers, fully inserting them into an era in which image and communication take on an increasingly predominant role in establishing themselves on the market. The change in logo also corresponds to a change in name which from "Rossetti" becomes "Fratelli Rossetti" to underline the family nature and generational continuity of the company.

To remove any indecision regarding the change is Luca who, still a child, surprises his father by noting: "We children too, we are brothers".

In recent years, fashion becomes more flashy and the design of women's shoes dares with particular colors and geometries.

90S

THE NEW IMAGE

Between 1990 and 1991 a real "Fratelli Rossetti engineering" was created, that is, careful planning aimed at combining the comfort of light trekking with the usual elegance.

After careful anatomical studies, materials and a new aesthetic line, Flexa makes its appearance, a new model capable of adapting to any eventuality thanks to its technical soul, without losing the allure of a handcrafted shoe.

In a period of great stylistic stability, research focuses on quality, the true distinctive feature of the brand. Attention to detail and the idea of a product that, with due care, will last over time are favoured.

In the mid-nineties the image of the Rossetti Brothers was renewed: the collaboration with Giovanni Gastel was inaugurated, the photographer who since then has interpreted the brand with his unforgettable shots and Peter Marino was contacted for the furnishing of the new shop in Madison Avenue in New York, which, thanks to the work of the famous architect, best represents the idea of luxury and attention to detail that the Rossettis wanted to express.

2000S

NEW WORLDS

Almost as if it were a return to the origins, the interest in sports shoes resumed with the Flexa continues with the Active, while the contaminations between women's and men's shoes reflect the evolution of taste. The fiftieth anniversary of the Rossetti Brothers is celebrated with an important recognition: the Italian Post Office issues an official stamp dedicated to the brand, symbol of Made in Italy in the world. This important moment is crowned by the generational transition: Diego, Dario and Luca are ready to become the new engine of the company, pursuing tradition but also opening up to inevitable change.