Italian Shoes: A Tribute to an Iconic Object

The world of Italian footwear interpreted through playful visual pairings by fashion photographer Giovanni Gastel. A fitting tribute to the elegance, creativity, and excellence of Italian manufacturing.

Shoes juxtaposed with common objects that they evoke by their shape, color, or texture become pairings of great elegance, witty and unusual, highlighting the creativity of shoe design. In this unique book, a selection of the most important Italian brands conveys the essence of the style “made in Italy,” with Prada, Tod’s, Fendi, Hogan, Salvatore Ferragamo, Fratelli Rossetti, Cesare Paciotti, Thierry Rabotin, Pollini, and Ballin among the inspiring Italian companies illustrated in the volume.
Italian shoes have always been iconic accessories, prestige symbols, and a guarantee of quality on international markets. The creative flair of Italian brands has succeeded in turning a simple functional accessory into so much more, crafting true works of art and objects of style: shoes reinterpret everyday objects and enhance their aesthetic potential.

The splendid images are enlivened with quotes from style icons such as Coco Chanel, David Bowie, Victoria Beckham, and others. “Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world,” Marilyn Monroe once claimed, emphasizing the great importance of this iconic object in everyone’s life and especially in that of women.

Giovanni Gastel, Luchino Visconti’s nephew, has dedicated his life to photography. His career had its first turning point in 1981 when he entered the fashion world, contributing to major magazines such as Vogue Italia and Elle, winning international recognition and becoming one of the most successful international fashion photographers. He is the honorary president of the Italian Professional Photographers’ Association.