1895
Alessandro Berluti
Paris, France
LVMH
Kris Van Assche
Berluti is a French luxury men’s footwear brand founded in Paris in 1895 by Italian shoemaker Alessandro Berluti. Now offering shoes, bags, wallets, custom clothing, ready-to-wear and accessories, it belongs to the world’s largest luxury conglomerate LVMH. In the 1980s, Berluti developed two signature techniques: Venezia leather and the Patina ancient dyeing method.
Brand History
Founder Alessandro Berluti (1865-1922) was born in the small Italian village of Senigallia. After training as a carpenter, he became fascinated with shoe lasts and transitioned to shoemaking. At 19, he left Italy and joined a traveling theater troupe, crafting performance shoes during their journeys.
At 30, Alessandro settled in Paris and established Berluti, naming his first shoe design “Alessandro.” Five years later, Berluti custom shoes debuted at the Paris World’s Fair, attracting elite clients including dancer Isadora Duncan and entrepreneurs Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubenstein.
After Alessandro’s death, his son Torello Berluti (1885-1959) took over. Born and trained in Italy, Torello moved to Paris in 1928, opening Berluti’s first workshop-boutique on Rue Mont Thabor.
As the brand grew, it attracted aristocratic clients like the Duke of Windsor. In the 1940s, the workshop relocated to 26 Rue Marbeuf near the Champs-Élysées, which remains Berluti’s headquarters today.
Berluti boutique at 26 Rue Marbeuf, Paris
The third-generation heir Talbinio Berluti modernized the brand, launching Berluti’s first ready-to-wear shoe collection in 1959 to attract younger customers.
In the 1960s-70s, fourth-generation Olga Berluti joined the business. She created loafers for Andy Warhol – the iconic “Andy Loafer” – while training in the workshop.
In the 1980s, Olga developed Berluti’s signature Venezia leather (with lacquer-like shine) and Patina dyeing technique, introducing color to men’s footwear. She became creative director in 1990 – the first woman to lead the brand.
After LVMH acquired Berluti in 1993, the brand expanded into leather goods (2005), beginning with the Deux Jours and Trois Nuits travel bags. Today’s collections include briefcases, totes, messengers and backpacks.
Berluti Un Jour Briefcase
Alessandro Sartori became creative director in 2011, launching menswear in 2012 when Antoine Arnault became CEO. Global boutiques followed in Paris, London, Shanghai, Tokyo and New York.
Berluti Beverly Hills Boutique
Timeline
- 1865 – Alessandro Berluti born in Senigallia, Italy
- 1895 – Berluti founded in Paris
- 1900 – Debut at Paris World’s Fair
- 1922 – Torello Berluti inherits business
- 1928 – First workshop opens on Rue Mont-Thabor
- 1959 – First ready-to-wear shoe collection
- 1962 – “Andy Loafer” created for Warhol
- 1980 – Venezia leather and Patina dye invented
- 1990 – Olga Berluti becomes creative director
- 1993 – LVMH acquisition
- 2005 – First leather goods collection
- 2011 – Alessandro Sartori appointed
- 2012 – Menswear debut; Arnys acquisition
- 2013 – Global boutique expansion begins
- 2018 – Kris Van Assche becomes creative director
Signature Collections
Un Jour Collection
Deux Jours Collection
Vendredi Collection
Jour-off Collection
Pilote Collection
Monolithe Collection
Formula Collection
Toujours Collection
