Mr. René Caovilla is a powerhouse in the fashion industry, best known for the shoe designs produced under his namesake label. His sandals are captivating, with dazzling crystal embellishments and bands that perfectly wrap around the lower calves. With a bridal line running alongside his wider collection, Caovilla designs sandals for the special moments in all of his customers’ lives. They have been seen on the red carpet worn by celebrities, like Julia Roberts and Coco Rocha, and fashion blogger Nadya Hasan wore a pair at her two-day wedding celebration last week.
Fine craftsmanship has become synonymous with the René Caovilla brand. Fortunately, there will be more opportunities to experience it in person, because Caovilla has recently announced plans to open up new stores in the Middle East. He spoke to GRAZIA about this regional expansion, and so much more, in our exclusive interview below.
We hear you’re planning on opening more stores in the Middle East. Could you let us know where we can expect to see your signature crystal-embellished sandals?
Mr. René Caovilla: It’s a pleasure and a commitment for René Caovilla to be present in such a unique market and a natural course of growth to open a new point of sales following the ever-growing interest of the local consumers. We plan to open four new stores to bring forward the brand retail expansion and presence in the region.
Our next boutique is slated to open in the second half of 2022 in Doha, followed by other openings in Dubai, Riyadh, and Kuwait within 2023. Having our own retail spaces is the best way to deliver a full experience of the Maison and create a unique relationship with local customers.
Your shoes are quite adored in the region. Why do you think that is, and what is it about the Middle East that interests you?
RC: A savoir-faire philosophy made of perfectionism, consistency, and excellence, each of my shoes has a unique way of making a woman look and feel confident. Again, consistency is the mantra for maintaining a strong identity over the years, high recognizability and delivering unique products to our customers. The Middle East is a global luxury shopping destination; you breathe unique energy and a combination of different cultures.
It’s reportedly expected that the brand would see a 30% increase in digital sales this year. Usually, customers are hesitant to shop for higher-priced luxury items online, but this doesn’t seem to be the case with Rene Caovilla. Why do you think that is?
RC: First and foremost, there’s the product: the perfect encounter of aesthetics and functionality. Unique heritage, artisan making, technical expertise and excellent quality are the secret ingredients of the brand. I believe our consumer buys the product aware of finding all these elements gathered in a shoe. I also believe our customers are passionate about the brand as, whether classic or audacious, they always remain signature and timeless, true modern art pieces to collect season after season.
What can we expect to see from your Spring/Summer 23 collection?
RC: Sensual and sparkling, the SS23 collection, designed in lively and bright colours, elevates the house codes with newness and inventiveness. In constant evolution, the collection reflects changing times and trends while preserving its forever appeal.
Who is the woman you design for? How would you describe her?
RC: A self-confident and self-aware woman. She’s made of opposites: strength and elegance, independence and sensuality, pride, and style. Women and their femininity represent the ultimate source of inspiration for my creations. Her silhouette is the guide to making the perfect shoe able to enhance her.
I’d love to know a bit about the man behind the brand. How did you first become a shoe designer? Could you recall one of the first designs you created that instantaneously led to the brand’s rise in stardom?
RC: Upon my return from design school in Paris and London in 1955, I took over the reins of the company by combining my father’s meticulous craftsmanship with my own artistry and innovation using precious stones, beads, rhinestones, and luxury fabrics. To this day, the Maison Rene Caovilla embodies a seamless balance of workmanship and showmanship, inspired by the prowess of the bygone Venetian master artisans. Today as then, this heartfelt passion is as alive as ever, jealously guarded and passed down from generation to generation.
In that light, each shoe is still entirely made by hand in the Fiesso d’Artico factory, housed in the Palladian villa that is the company’s headquarters.
Here practice makes perfect: seasoned artisans create true works of art, painstakingly honouring their skills day after day.
One of my favourite creations is the Cleo sandal I designed in 1969. Inspired by a Roman bracelet from the Ist century BC, this timeless icon embodies the two defining traits of the house’s aesthetic: the snake motif and lavish crystal embellishments. A genuine cult item and a celebrity favourite, it was displayed at the MoMa in New York in 1975, an achievement that turned it into a modern art icon.
