Renzo Rossetti, together with his brothers, took his first steps in the footwear industry at the end of World War II, although the company was not officially founded until 1953.
The postwar years saw a renewed passion for sport, and Renzo began making extremely soft and lightweight cycling shoes.
Production was also extended to footwear for professional soccer players, skating, ice hockey and boxing in buffalo leather, an unprecedented innovation in traditional footwear.
Renzo Rossetti branded these first models as “Rossetti Yankee” and laid the foundation for a great future.
The three Rossetti brothers, Renato, Renzo and Ugo, in the first workshop, a 50-square-meter warehouse that later became the factory’s changing room on Via Gajo
1951 Renzo and Elisa, known as Lisetta, on vacation with their dog
1954 Marriage of Renzo and Lisetta at the Basilica di Sant’Eustorgio in Milan, one of Lisetta’s childhood homes
Lisetta with Giuseppe Meazza, Inter’s goal scorer, after whom the San Siro stadium was named
1958 The new factory in Via Gajo, Parabiago
1950 Ice skating shoe, ‘Rossetti Yankee’ brand
1958 Low-gaiter brogue with buttons, a sophisticated shoe inspired by the late 19th century
1955 Derby lace-up, one of the first ‘classic’ models
1959 In the late 1950s, the brand was known for using fine leathers to create a highly sophisticated product
The first brand with a Fratelli Rossetti handwritten ‘signature’. The decision to use its own name anticipated what other Made in Italy brands did later
1955 One of the first sponsorships: the Yankee Cup ice skating event
Stefania Cesca wearing ‘Yankee’ skating shoes, which she described as inseparable companions in her competitions
Harry Burghartt, 1st-category maestro at Palazzo del Ghiaccio in Milan, Yankee shoe
Footballer Antonio Azimonti wears ‘Yankee’ shoes
Renzo Rossetti made ever greater demands of himself and, determined to achieve excellence, he studied the work of master shoemakers, establishing excellent relationships with the best craftsmen of the day, specializing in ‘made-to-measure’.
At the same time, he realized that, despite the breathtaking pace of change all around, footwear remained rooted in old models.
In the 1960s, he opened the new headquarters in Parabiago, and Renzo Rossetti, working with molds and leathers, began his revolution. This period saw the launch of the iconic Brera loafer and the Yacht sockless shoe.
The three brothers, Diego, Dario and Luca, along with Franco Savorelli, nicknamed the ‘count of fashion’ for his contribution to the establishment of Made in Italy
1968 New headquarters in Via Cesare Cantù, Parabiago, which remains the company’s head office
A visit from the Italian national football team champions of the 1960s. Among them, Giovanni Lodetti, Roberto Rosato, Paolo Barison and Gianni Rivera
1969 Ankle boot paying tribute to the conquest of space and great scientific discoveries
In 1968, Renzo Rossetti first introduced the Brera, the legendary loafer with ‘little bows’, later called tassels, a major revolution in the Italian fashion scene
In the late 1960s Renzo invented the first ‘sockless’ shoe named ‘Yacht’, changing the rules of male elegance: when Giorgio Armani came up with the idea of removing the ‘vest’, Renzo Rossetti had the intuition to replace leather lining with canvas
Renzo Rossetti introduced square shapes: shoes became wider and asymmetrical
Punches for stamping on products, including collaboration with prestigious designers such as Yves Saint Laurent
1963 Rossetti made headlines when atomic scientist Giuseppe Martelli of the British nuclear center was charged by Scotland Yard for espionage. The evidence included a pair of Rossetti shoes with a hollow heel which, according to the prosecution, was used to hide the microfilm. “One of our special features,” Renato Rossetti testified at the trial, teaching the English shoe country a lesson in style. The Corriere della Sera published a memorable headline about the incident, describing the “hole in the heel” as a “flop” (“buco nell’acqua”, literally, a “hole in the water”).
1968 Article about the iconic Brera loafer published in the Il Gazzettino newspaper
1968 Article about the iconic Magenta boot published in the Il Messaggero newspaper
1967 Article about Fratelli Rossetti published in the L’Uomo Vogue magazine
The 1970s was the decade of collaborations: Renzo Rossetti worked alongside big names that shaped the history of fashion, including Armani, Valentino, Pierre Cardin, Yves Saint Laurent, Mila Schön, Gucci, Ferragamo, Karl Lagerfeld, and Dumas Hèrmes, while firmly maintaining the brand’s identity.
1971 saw the first production of women’s footwear: it was the period of the unisex trend, in which women’s fashion was influenced by men’s fashion, and vice versa. This momentous change in costume history marked the birth of what we now call ‘mannish’ style.
In a similar vein, Renzo experimented with heels: while in the early days of his business men’s shoes measured 33 mm high, in the 1970s they reached the ‘dizzying’ height of 75 mm.
In the same year the historic boutique in Via Montenapoleone was opened, and towards the end of the decade international boutiques in New York, London and Paris were also opened. 1975 saw the birth of one of the icons, the Magenta boot.
The Rossetti family in the living room of their country house in Mercallo
1976 Renzo Rossetti in the Parabiago showroom
Showroom in the Parabiago headquarters
Renzo and Lisetta in the Parabiago showroom
1971 The Milan team at the opening of the historic Milan boutique at 1 Via Montenapoleone. The players included champion Gianni Rivera
1979 Opening of the New York boutique on Madison Avenue. Renzo and Lisetta, together with their son Diego, in front of the boutique window.
1979 Announcement of the opening of the New York boutique published in the U.S. newspaper The New York Times
Magenta was the name Fratelli Rossetti gave to the iconic ankle boots produced in 1975, featuring a metal buckle incorporated on the heel, engraved with the words ‘ROSSETTI-PATENTED’
An example of ‘mannish’-style footwear, a symbol of the cross-over between men’s and women’s fashion
Portraits of the most famous designers of the time with whom Renzo Rossetti collaborated
1970 Sabot created in collaboration with Pierre Cardin
1972 Loafer from the Yatch line, the brainchild of the creative minds of Renzo Rossetti and Giorgio Armani
1973 Ankle boot designed by Giorgio Armani with a design distinguished by the curvilinear cut of the upper and diagonal stitching that creates a decorative motif
1975 Loafer created in collaboration with American designer Bill Blass, featuring a square heel cut diagonally inward
1975 Two-tone Derby designed for fashion shows by designer Walter Albini, considered the most creative designer of the era for dandies
1975 Men’s ankle boot with a 75 mm heel made in collaboration with designer Valentino
1978 Ankle boot made with Hermés, exclusively for the Parisian store
Men’s-inspired women’s shoe, a concept for which Rossetti became famous
1972 New straps fastened by a metal clip, inspired by the clasps on branded watch bracelets
Advertising campaign for the 1978 Spring/Summer collection. Fratelli Rossetti designed advertising campaigns as service tools, as well as style suggestions: it was the first brand to provide store addresses and technical descriptions of products on its pages
Advertising campaign dedicated to the Fall/Winter 1978-79 collection. Fratelli Rossetti was the first brand to explore expanded communication, buying full pages in the most famous daily and weekly newspapers of the time. The brand employed leading art directors, such as Emanuele Pirella and Anna Maria Testa
1971 Fratelli Rossetti appeared in an advertising campaign for the Yacht icon in a Japanese magazine
1971 Advertising campaign published in the Vogue Italia magazine
Editorial about Fratelli Rossetti published as a full page in Esquire USA magazine
1972 Interview with Renzo Rossetti published in L’Uomo Vogue magazine. The photo shoot was done by Oliviero Toscani
1975 Editorial about a loafer with tassels published as a full page in a Japanese magazine
Fratelli Rossetti played a leading role in the communication world, bringing about major changes in the industry. Indeed, the brand identity was established during these years.
Designers Massimo and Lella Vignelli created the new logo, which also corresponded to a name change: from ‘Rossetti’ to ‘Fratelli Rossetti’, emphasizing the company’s family nature and generational continuity.
Luca removed all indecision relating to the change when, as a child, he surprised his father by remarking: “We sons are brothers too.”
In the 1980s, fashion became more flamboyant and women’s shoe designs dared to use distinctive colors and shapes.
Renzo and Lisetta, together with their sons Dario and Diego, in the style office at the Parabiago headquarters
1981 Renzo and Renato Rossetti in Paris with French fashion designer Pierre Balmain (center)
1986 Renzo Rossetti in Venice with Italian designer Mila Schön
1984 Family photo with Renzo Rossetti’s brother Renato
1980 The new Fratelli Rossetti logo and the unmistakable ‘FR’ developed by designers Massimo and Lella Vignelli
The logo started to be visibly highlighted as a sign of recognition and distinction through metal buckles, clips and plates for shoes
New shopping bag with a negative logo on a black background, displayed in ‘The Bag’ exhibition held at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London in 1985
Introduction of more eye-catching models: Fratelli Rossetti broke the mold with new shapes and shades
1981 Announcement of the opening of the Faubourg St. Honoré boutique published in French newspaper Le Monde. The store replaced the first boutique on Rue Royale, which opened in 1979
1984 Editorial about a Fratelli Rossetti lace-up published as a full page in Harper’s Bazaar magazine
1988 Interview with Diego Rossetti published as a full page in Gioia magazine
Ad dedicated to the restyling of the Montenapoleone boutique published in the Corriere della Sera newspaper
Editorial starring the iconic Brera loafer published as a full page in Vogue magazine
Advertising campaign dedicated to the Fall/Winter 1982-83 collection.
1981 saw the birth of the idea of combining advertising campaigns with a headline that would become inseparable from their concept: ‘A certain world walks Rossetti,’ a slogan that accompanied them for many years
Advertising campaign dedicated to the Fall/Winter 1987-88 collection.
The 1990s marked a turning point for Fratelli Rossetti in the field of communication, marking the start of a partnership with Giovanni Gastel, the photographer who has portrayed the brand with his iconic shots for years.
In the same period, renowned U.S. architect Peter Marino was approached to renovate the New York boutique on Madison Avenue, and the new concept was extended to all boutiques.
This was also the period of ‘Fratelli Rossetti engineering’, that is, careful design aimed at combining light trekking comfort with timeless elegance. Following careful anatomical studies of materials and a new aesthetic design, the Flexa appeared, a model capable of adapting to any eventuality thanks to its technical nature without losing the allure of a handcrafted shoe.
Renzo, with his wife Lisetta and sons, Luca, Diego and Dario, in a family shot in the garden of their country house in Mercallo in 1993
Behind Mrs. Lisetta, a photo showing her husband Renzo with their sons Dario, Luca and Diego Rossetti
1990 saw the launch of the Flexa, a shoe that combined the comfort of sports shoes with ‘city’ style
These years also saw the start of the production of leather handbags, belts, and clothing, all of which were distinguished by the quality of their leather and craftsmanship
Fratelli Rossetti expanded its range to embrace new designs and refined workmanship, right down to jewel-shoes
New concept for the interiors of the New York boutique on Madison Avenue, designed by Peter Marino, whom Diego Rossetti personally met in his Manhattan studio
Advertising campaign for the Fall/Winter 1996-97 collection
Giovanni Gastel - Advertising campaign for the Fall/Winter 1998-99 collection
Massimo Vignelli’s iconic ‘FR’ photographed by Giovanni Gastel
The Rossetti brothers together with Giovanni Gastel at the event for the inauguration of the reopening of the historic boutique on Via Montenapoleone
Catalogo 1993 Renzo Rossetti pioneered the creation of catalogs that went from being a mass-market tool to one of prestige and dissemination
1990 Article about Fratelli Rossetti published as a full page in U.S. Magazine Footwear News
1990 Interview with Diego Rossetti published as a full page in Lifestyle 2 magazine
1990 Article about Fratelli Rossetti published as a full page in German magazine Männer Vogue
1992 Article about Renzo and Diego Rossetti published as a full page in Class magazine
Thanks to its ability to combine contemporary design and manual techniques, Fratelli Rossetti is an international ambassador for Made in Italy and Italian style.
To celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary, a commemorative postage stamp from the Italian Postal Service was issued in 2003 and, three years later, the book ‘A Certain World Walks Rossetti’ was published, in which Renzo recounts the process of becoming an iconic Italian footwear brand.
A major event was also dedicated to this important milestone at the Palazzo dei Tessuti in Milan, hosted by Piero Chiambretti & Co, with a live concert by Patty Pravo.
The 2000s were marked by the brand’s development in the Middle East and Asia, thanks to the opening of the first franchise stores.
The new millennium opened with the company’s 50th anniversary (2003), marking an important turning point: Renzo Rossetti passed the baton to his sons Luca, Diego and Dario, who were ready to become the company’s new driving force, pursuing tradition, while also being open to change.
2003 The 50th anniversary was celebrated with a commemorative stamp from the Italian Postal Service
2006 Celebratory book ‘A Certain World Walks Rossetti’: a volume edited by Gisella Borioli with an introduction by Natalia Aspesi on the 50 years of Rossetti’s universe, which grew along with the reconstruction of Italy
September 2006 Patty Pravo at the event dedicated to the company’s 50th anniversary
September 2006 Piero Chiambretti and Patty Pravo at the event dedicated to the company’s 50th anniversary
September 2006 Editorial about the brand’s 50th anniversary published as a full-page spread in MF Fashion magazine
September 2006 Editorial about the brand’s 50th anniversary published as a full-page spread in Monsieur magazine
September 2006 Editorial about the brand’s 50th anniversary published as a full-page spread in Donna magazine
2003 Limited-edition Brera loafer created for the company’s 50th anniversary, a perfect blend of trend and tradition
2000 Photo shoot dedicated to Lisetta, who, through the excellent school of her friend Savorelli, always ensured that she kept in touch with fashion journalists
2002 Renzo Rossetti in a family snapshot with all his grandchildren
2006 Renzo Rossetti in his studio in his country house in Mercallo
The Rossetti family in the Parabiago showroom
2009 Diego Rossetti at the exhibition dedicated to 100 years of fashion by designer and painter René Gruau
From a young age, Renzo Rossetti was intrigued by ethnic shoes, which he collected over the years, eventually creating a shoe museum: from unique 18th-century French pieces to the wooden clogs and hobnail shoes of ingenious peoples
In the early 2000's, very sharped pointed-toe shoes are a predominant of women's shoes.
2001 Use of the logo in a prominent, distinctive manner designed to highlight the product’s identity
In the second decade of the new millennium, the digital era began for Fratelli Rossetti. In 2010 the brand opened its first social media channel on Facebook, while in 2013 it launched its e-commerce site and Instagram profile.
The involvement of Italian and international influencers became increasingly important: numerous collaborations to create new storytelling around the brand.
2011 saw the launch of the iconic Hobo, and four years later the ‘New Artisan’ format was unveiled: the Milan-based company acted as a patron to young artisans, a format exported worldwide.
In the meantime, the Brera model celebrated half a century, and two special projects dedicated to icons were launched: Brera Cult and Magenta Codes.
2013 United by the pursuit of quality and respect for tradition, the three brothers, Dario, Diego and Luca, guided the company to its 60th anniversary
Renzo Rossetti and Lisetta in the their final years of life. In 2010 the company founder passed away, survived by his children and wife, who died four years later
2012 Diego Rossetti in his Parabiago office
2011 saw the launch of the iconic laceless lace-up with distinctive flower-shaped holes, Hobo, establishing itself as the standard-bearer for nonconformist, free-spirited elegance
Following the success of Hobo, Hobo Sport was launched in 2012, ideal for those who want to feel comfortable, while always maintaining a touch of style
2018 The Brera loafer turned 50 and was presented with new shapes and materials for the ‘Anniversary’ model: embroidery and colors were combined to celebrate the history and evolution of this iconic loafer
2018 Editorial about the 50th anniversary of the Brera loafer published as a full page in Grazia magazine
September 2010 The event dedicated to Milano Moda Donna was hosted by longtime editor-in-chief of Vogue, Anna Wintour
January 2011 The “Masters’ Hands” project marked Fratelli Rossetti’s new path of combining its heritage with contemporary forms of culture related to craftsmanship. A series of original images featuring hands taken by the great photographer Ferdinando Scianna, on different occasions and at different times. Different, experienced, tireless hands that can express feelings, thoughts, emotions, creativity, the ability to touch, to form, “to do well”.
Starting from left, Dario Rossetti, Ferdinando Scianna, Luca and Diego Rossetti
February 2011 The Fall/Winter 2011-12 collection featured a collaboration with Rebecca Moses, an artist and designer, American by origin and Italian by adoption, who, inspired by the cities of the world where there is a Fratelli Rossetti flagship store, used her illustrations to tell the story of different types of women through a shoe with precise identity codes
London
New York
Milan
February 2011 The Rossetti brothers together with designer Rebecca Moses at the event dedicated to Milano Moda Donna
September 2011 The “Masters’ Hands” operation continued with another exhibition, recounting from a different angle the concepts of innovation and tradition, core values of the historic Lombard company, through special portraits of hands, taken by two Italian photographers with opposite visions and different sensibilities: the ‘great uncle’ Giovanni Gastel, 56, and his young nephew, Guido Taroni Gastel, 23
September 2011 The preview of the photo exhibition was held during Moda Donna week at the Fratelli Rossetti Gallery in Piazza San Carlo and later at Palazzo Serbelloni
September 2011 Luca and Diego Rossetti together with photographers Guido Taroni (on the left) and Giovanni Gastel (on the right) at the photo exhibition during Milano Moda Donna in the Piazza San Carlo showroom
2016 For the “#NewArtisan: space for new talents” project, young talented artisans were hosted in the boutiques, giving them a way to express their art
2019 The ‘Brera Cult 1968’ saw the iconic loafer adorned with bright colors inspired by traditional African textiles and produced in Dutch weaving mills using an ancient technique. The hallmark of the project was the signature ‘Brera’, deliberately written upside down with a ‘mirror’ effect
2019 The ‘Magenta Codes’ project saw Magenta evolve in new ‘Codes’: men’s-inspired elements acquired new forms, expressing strong and confident femininity. The stirrup was transferred to pumps and sandals, reinventing the paradigms of women’s footwear
April 2019 Fratelli Rossetti chose Fuori Salone to present a limited-edition sandal featuring a handmade & heartmade heel by Beirut-based designer Nada Debs who, offering a contemporary twist on the technique of mother-of-pearl work on solid natural walnut wood, created a unique heel featuring a graphic zigzag pattern. A pattern symbolizing the beating heartbeat of Milan and Beirut
April 2019 Diego Rossetti together with designer Nada Debs
From 2013 to 2016, Fratelli Rossetti commissioned Pierpaolo Ferrari, an internationally renowned photographer and artist capable of combining classicism and creativity, to handle its advertising campaigns.
Ferrari used irony to narrate the Fratelli Rossetti collections: a small revolution for the Milanese brand in line with the new path taken by the brand
2023 is the 70th anniversary year: under the leadership of the Rossetti brothers, the company has prospered over the years, while preserving its artisan approach and family legacy. Today, it continues its mission, combining a long tradition of craftsmanship with extensive research into innovation, while preserving the brand’s distinctive elegance.
Recent openings in Dubai and Doha mark the company’s development in the Middle East and Asia. The new boutiques, all furnished according to the new concept developed by architecture firm Architude, also include those in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Malpensa and Linate airports, Florence, and the restyling of the Via del Babuino boutique in Rome.
2023 United in their determination to carry on the family tradition, the brothers have navigated the company to its 70th anniversary
Dario, Diego and Luca Rossetti
Luca, Diego and Dario Rossetti in Parabiago factory
For this important milestone, the ‘FR70’ logo was developed to accompany the ‘Fratelli Rossetti’ logo in communications during the 70th anniversary year
The Brera Anniversary 70 is presented with handcrafted embroidery depicting iconic symbols of the Milanese brand, such as the tassels for the Brera loafer, the stirrup for the Magenta boot, and the flower for the Hobo slipper
2021 The Green Side project marked an important step on the road to environmental friendliness and sustainability by using high-quality suede leather, obtained with a circular economy approach that embraces eco-sustainable manufacturing processes
2021 Brera Cult
2021 The iconic Hobo shoe celebrated its 10th anniversary
September 2021 For Fuorisalone, Fratelli Rossetti presented the limited edition signed by Belgian designer Alain Gilles: a lace-up with a round heel and neat, geometric graphic patterns. Gilles was asked to give his own interpretation of the most classic of classics: he worked on the Oxford shoe, for both men and women, offering a new architectural and graphic vision of the classic leather shoe
September 2021 Gilles designed the windows of the boutique in Via Montenapoleone, Milan
June 2022 For Fuorisialone, Fratelli Rossetti presented the genderless sandal designed by architects Ludovica+Roberto Palomba, who gave their own interpretation of it, combining a minimal geometric design with a strong, rigorous mood
June 2022 Dario and Luca Rossetti together with architect Ludovica Serafini in front of the windows of the Montenapoleone boutique
April 2023 For Fuorisalone, Turkish designers Seyhan Özdemir Sarper and Sefer Çağlar presented “Autoban Resort”.
The artists designed the windows of the Milanese boutique on Via Montenapoleone, which were colored with flamboyant yellow and green, recreating a fresh atmosphere with exotic touches
Fratelli Rossetti, for the Spring/Summer 2022 season, presented a capsule in collaboration with international style icon Johannes Huebl. This partnership resulted in an original reinterpretation of the ‘Estate’ line of ankle boots, the perfect compromise between Fratelli Rossetti craftsmanship and the elegance that has always distinguished Johannes. The collection consisted of five shoes in different original and contemporary colors. The leather sole was also engraved with Johannes’ signature, an indelible and identifying symbol of the limited edition
U.S. actress and model Olivia Palermo wearing Fratelli Rossetti
For the past few years the brand’s communication strategy has involved Italian and international influencers in line with the company’s image, with the aim of creating storytelling.
Influencer Paola Cossentino wearing Fratelli Rossetti
September 2022 - Federica Pellegrini, together with her husband Matteo Giunta, during Milan Fashion Week event at the Horto restaurant
September 2022 – Martina Colombari, together with her husband Alessandro Costacurta, during Milan Fashion Week event at the Horto restaurant
2021 Boutique opening in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Milan
2023 Boutique opening in Doha in the prestigious Mall of Qatar
2023 Editorial published in WWD newspaper about the opening of the Florence boutique, that after many years, returns to Florence in the historic setting of Via Roma
2023 Restyling of the Rome boutique in Via del Babuino
For the Fall/Winter 2020/2021 season, Fratelli Rossetti presented its first illustrated campaign in collaboration with two renowned Canadian artists: Michael Dumontier and Neil Farber. The works, which were featured on billboards in streets and airports, transformed the locations of our everyday life into urban art galleries.
The new additions to the collection therefore assumed the guise of fairy-tale characters that cheer observers up and make them smile.
The Spring/Summer 2022 campaign was set in Sicily among the monumental works of Fiumara d’Arte (in the province of Messina), one of the largest open-air sculpture museums in Europe, designed and created by patron Antonio Presti.
The colossal works, located where the Tusa river once flowed, create an evocative and poetic setting for a collection whose every detail evokes the art of craftsmanship.
This campaign marked the start of a new direction for Fratelli Rossetti, which the company has been pursuing in recent seasons.
Our story is made up of small and large revolutions, always ingenious and never ostentatious, true to our way of being and acting.
From generation to generation, we have created amazing, iconic products, interweaving art, creativity and technology.
The world that Rossetti walks is a world of people who prefer to be rather than to appear, people who are aware of the impact and importance of their choices, for themselves and others.
It is a world that loves to discover and learn, that chooses outstanding craftsmanship, care and attention to detail, that believes in an elegance that transcends time and fashion.
It is a gentle, elegant and smiling world, where style and restraint coexist with grit and character. And sometimes a little irony.
It is a world capable of escaping stereotypes, mixing male and female, and innovating styles and languages.
We began this story 70 years ago.
And we continue, with passion and determination, to believe in it and carry it forward.
Since 1953, a certain world walks Rossetti