Rayon Vert and DIEMME Our first shoe!
When Mats from DIEMME contacted us about making a shoe together, we had a very clear idea from the start: there are already an overwhelming number of shoes out there, and we're constantly bombarded with marketing gimmicks and promises that often don't reflect the actual quality of the products, especially when it comes to reliability and durability. We wanted to create a long-lasting shoe using as few "new" materials as possible.
We visited the DIEMME warehouse, where we came across some old English tweeds (which were already leftovers themselves, purchased from a wholesaler dealing in industrial fabric remnants), and immediately knew they were perfect for what we had in mind.
Tweed is, in every sense, a technical fabric. Used for centuries in the Scottish moorlands, it was traditionally chosen for its warmth, water resistance, and durability.
Starting from these leftover fabrics, we developed an everyday shoe built like a traditional trekking boot, with a thick rubber rand running around its entire perimeter (a distinctive feature of DIEMME and the Italian shoemakers based around Asolo, an area known worldwide for its hiking boots). This construction increases the shoe's durability, while a Vibram outsole provides grip and reliability.
For the campaign pictures, we asked our friends Chloe and Ale if we could shoot at their home, an old rustic house they recently renovated with their own hands and the help of local communities in Ticino, Switzerland, where the house is located.
They built much of the interior themselves, from the wall coverings and ceilings to the smallest details. Ale, a sound engineer, designed and built the house's audio system, integrating sound into the architecture and making it an essential part of the space, while Chloe took care of the drawings and the interior layout of the house.
The shoe is now available worldwide through selected retailers in three colorways, with an additional exclusive colorway available on our website.
Pictures by Theodor Guelat
Assistant Colmar
Concept Sofia Baiocco
House Casa Piodina, Chloe Mas and Alessandro Marinelli
