FRATELLI ROSSETTI FALL 2011 FOOTWEAR/ACCESSORIES

Andaz Hotel, NYC

Words, Images Judith Ecochard

Editor's Preview-Men's and Women's

Rebecca Moses, Diego Rossetti

A bright, sun filled room at the posh Andaz Hotel was a serene locale for the Editor's Preview of luxe Italian footwear/accessories brand Fratelli Rossetti's Fall 2011 collections.

Brera Loafer...Tassels...

Woven upper-with cap toe is an editorial favorite...

Expounding on---"There was a young lady who lived in a shoe..." ---Moses selected a particular elegant woman's shoe that embodies the playful energy of the city depicted.

We started our visit with the men's collections--- where we just swooned over the antiqued palette of the leathers---especially a deep peacock blue, a burnished green, and a dark eggplant purple.

Chuka Style with wingtip details...

Unique to Fratelli Rosetti...lug soles on leather...a luxurious version of heavy working rubber soles

An update from 1960's

Hand stitched, hand finished...a slight taper for toes European elegance for a global market

Brera Loafer in suede (R)

Woven Monk Strap with cap toe...LOVE

We got a lesson in shoe construction---as in at least 100 working, different steps are typical in producing one pair of Fratelli Rossetti shoes.

Here---is an inverted stitching detail----whereby the the "stitching is in the split of the leather..."
then stitched together again for a subtle bumped detail.

"WHAT MAKES A QUALITY SHOE IS WHAT'S INSIDE THE SHOE," Rossetti firmly believes. Even the outsole (pictured above)...is opened, stitched, then covered....and stitched together. Hopefully a YouTube is forthcoming.

Genesi...

What is always obvious to us...---the labor intensive hand polishing that results in the rich patinas of the footwear. Lesser methods--- do not achieve this depth, nor variation/graduations of color tones.

Criss-cross rubber sole and leather---hand details

Chuka style with wing tip---a very popular profile for men.

This occasion, that rather glamorously kicked off New York Fashion Week--- also hosted the whimsical charms of watercolors inspired by cities containing the label's eponymous boutiques.

The artwork is wonderfully painted by designer Rebecca Moses (born American/Italian dwelling)...

A type of woman---a type of shoe.

This high heel pointy toe pump...is the most versatile shoe of this season, we think--- it can really go with all the Fall 2011 trends---trousers, skirts of various hemlines, chic dresses...we love the subtle elegant curve of the heel that renders this ped- very easy to walk around in.

There was plenty else to like too...we notice a real focus of the sumptuous leathers and suedes---very few ornate or metal trims, if any---a few ties, a few tassels.

The quality of the materials, the classic shapes with modern tweaks...crafting the footwear for an upscale market of new consumers---- willing to spend more if they feel the luxury value-price/ration--- is there...and a noticeable shift away from the easily disposable ready trends of mass marketers.

Maybe even discovering Fratelli Rossetti for the first time---though every Italian we know...already knows.