Footwear designer Valentina Rangoni was born into the shoe biz. Her grandfather, Ugo, founded the family’s company, Amalfi by Rangoni, in 1934. (The brand reached fame in the U.S. in the 1950s.) After Ugo passed away, Valentina’s father took over the company as a young age, so she grew up visiting her dad in his natural envinronment: the shoe factory. Deciding to go into the family business, the designer went to school for business and shoe design. (Additionally, she has a degree in”canto lirico” and is a talented opera singer.) Together with her sister Carolina, Valentina carries on the company’s third generation.
Along with the Amalfi by Rangoni line of timeless classics, the designer has her own eponymous line of footwear: Valentina Rangoni. “I would like my brand to represent strong, independent women who dress up for themselves,” she explains, noting that the SS25 collection offers a more minimal take than previous designs. “It’s perfect for sophisticated and independent women. This group is our target shopper.” Though she has stepped into the family company, Valentina is not resting on her laurels. We sat down with the designer-slash-vocalist for a preview of what’s to come.
Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
I often find a lot of inspiration from my travels because I love traveling, and it helps me to keep an open mind. However, I also find inspiration from art. For example, the new SS25 collection was inspired by neoclassicism.
What’s next for the brand?
We are going to open the first Valentina Rangoni e-commerce very soon, and I am really excited that some Valentina Rangoni jewelry is coming out soon. We have a lot coming up and I can’t wait to share this with the world.
What are some of your favorite trends of the moment?
I adore ballet flats and all types of flats in general. I’m also a huge fan of the quiet luxury trend because I’m currently in a minimalist phase. I love all the minimal sandals and all the very simple pumps that are available right now.
What do you bring to the U.S. market?
I believe that the values and heritage of my Italian family, who have been in this business for almost 90 years, are reflected in my work. Most importantly, my shoes are incredibly comfortable and unique. I strive to strike the perfect balance between creating high-quality, artisanal footwear and infusing them with a youthful and stylish flair.
How is sustainability important to your business?
Currently, sustainability is our top priority. In fact, at our factory, we pay close attention to minimizing waste of leather, accessories, and all components used in making our shoes. Additionally, we only source leather from nearby tanneries, and all production is concentrated in Firenze to reduce our reliance on transportation
