Franco Sarto Demonstrates Flexibility With Iconic Aerialist & Founder Of Physical Poetry Erika Lemay.
Franco Sarto, a brand born of Italian shoemakers and rooted in artistry and craft, is raising the bar on footwear innovation with the FLEXA Collection: boots with contour, form, and flexibility like never before.
Inspired by historic shoemaking techniques originating from the University of Bologna, the Franco Sarto design team takes stretch technology to new levels with an ultra-light, ultra-flexible shankless shoe construction with 7mm of luxurious handstitched foam for cloud-like cushioning and a contoured, glovelike fit unlike any other. The result: sleek, high-heeled styles with a destructed feel and tangibly increased comfort and flexibility like never before.
Sarto Flexa Bootie
An unbelievably flexible leather bootie made with timeless Italian craftsmanship and artfully modern design. Nappa leather upper.
Eco-conscious linings with soft + sustainable comfort. Side zip for easy on/off. Square toe. Flexa comfort technology: Timeless Italian craftsmanship with unbelievable flexibility and cloud-like cushioning. 5.7 inch shaft height, 9.8 inch circumference. 3.3 inch heel.
Comprised of three essential fall styles, the FLEXA collection features a tall boot (FLEXA Tall), mid-calf bootie (FLEXA Bootie), and square-toe slide (FLEXA Slide), crafted in stunning stretch leather with rich, fall-inspired hues. FLEXA styles are now available starting at $160.00 on FrancoSarto.com and select retail partners.
“Our vision for FLEXA was to craft the most comfortable boots we’ve ever made, looking to the heritage of Italian craftsmanship for inspiration,” says Design Director Gionata Pagni. “With FLEXA, women can feel both beautiful and free to move in their own artful, inspiring ways.”
To embody the flexibility and contour of the FLEXA collection, we commissioned world-renowned Physical Poetry artist Erika Lemay in a gravity-defying performance, combining aerial artistry and awe-inspiring movement to put our FLEXA boots to the true test.
“Ultimately, details don’t lie. I thought performing in high-heeled boots would be challenging. When I tried on the FLEXA boots and started moving, they felt like a second skin. They are so flexible and allow for full ankle movement. My foot felt supported even when suspended by one foot,” shared Lemay.
Sarto Flexa Tall Boot
An unbelievably flexible over-the-knee boot with timeless Italian craftsmanship and standout stretch. Faux leather upper partially made from recycled materials.
Eco-conscious linings with soft + sustainable comfort. Side zip for easy on/off. Square toe. Flexa comfort technology: Timeless Italian craftsmanship with unbelievable flexibility and cloud-like cushioning. 20 inch shaft height, 13.4 inch circumference. 3.3 inch heel.
Sarto Flexa Slide
An unbelievably flexible mule crafted to perfection with luxe leather and timeless Italian shoemaking techniques. Nappa leather upper.
Eco-conscious linings with soft + sustainable comfort. Slip-on fit for easy on/off. Square toe. Flexa comfort technology: Timeless Italian craftsmanship with unbelievable flexibility and cloud-like cushioning. 3.3 inch heel.
Sarto Arina Slingback Pump
A statement-making slingback pump with a sculpted heel and endless comfort. Leather upper responsibly sourced through Leather Working Group-audited factories or faux leather upper partially made from recycled materials.
Eco-conscious linings with soft + sustainable comfort. Slingback strap with stretch for easy on/off. Pointed toe. InFORMA comfort technology: Ergonomic insoles, contoured padding at key pressure points, and exceptional support. 3.5 inch sculpted heel.
Sarto Eda 3 Slip On Loafer
A luxe loafer that boasts impeccable Italian craftsmanship. Leather upper responsibly sourced through Leather Working Group-audited factories, faux leather upper partially made from recycled materials, or glitter fabric upper.
Eco-conscious linings with soft + sustainable comfort. Slip-on fit. Almond toe. Metal strap detail. 1 inch block heel.
FRANCO SARTO
https://www.francosarto.com/
Inspired Italian Design. We choose to make it simple. Make it sincere. Make it matter. There is an art to that. The pursuit of our Italian heritage is the mirror we hold up to every shoe we create. From the origins of our namesake designer, a Venice cobbler from the age of 14, to the hands of our Design Director Gionata Pagni lies a simple design ethos: the belief that timelessness is everything and intentional design is equal parts shoe, the woman who wears it, and the world she wears it in. From his first sketch to every hand-selected leather, making our shoes stand up and stand out because of how they are both designed and made is essential. This balance of quality and beauty in the creation of new classics is what drives us every day.
ERIKA LEMAY
https://www.erikalemay.com
Canadian-born Erika Lemay has become a beautifully disruptive icon in the world of live performance, using her body in ways that defy both gravity and human possibilities. Her journey has taken her from her first ballet class at the age of four to worldwide success and accolades. As the creator of Physical Poetry, Erika believes that “Poetry doesn’t have to be expressed with words.” Her TV performances have been seen by more than 400 million viewers worldwide, and her talent has been featured in international media, including Vanity Fair, Glamour Magazine, Hello Magazine, Le Figaro, and La Repubblica. She has performed extensively as a soloist guest star with Cirque du Soleil whilst developing the unique artistic language for which she is famous today.
CALERES
https://www.caleres.com
Caleres is a diverse portfolio of global footwear brands. Our products are available virtually everywhere – in the nearly 1,000 retail stores we operate, in hundreds of major department and specialty stores, on our branded e-commerce sites, and on many additional third-party retail websites. Famous Footwear offers great casual and athletic brands for the entire family with convenient, curated, and affordable collections. Sam Edelman keeps expressive women in step with the latest trends in a playful, whimsical way. Naturalizer shoes are beautiful from the inside out, with elegant simplicity and legendary fit reimagined for today’s consumer. Allen Edmonds combines old-world craft with new-world technology to create luxe footwear for the discerning man who wants sophisticated, modern classics. Rounding out our family of brands are Vionic, Vince, Franco Sarto, Dr. Scholl’s Shoes, LifeStride, Blowfish Malibu, Bzees, Circus, Ryka, Veronica Beard, and Zodiac. Combined, these brands make Caleres a company with both a legacy and a mission. Our legacy is our more than 140 years of craftsmanship and our passion for fit, while our mission is to continue to inspire people to feel great… feet first.
All images courtesy of Franco Sarto.
Tags: Accessories, booties, boots, Caleres, craftsmanship, eco fashion, eco-conscious, eco-friendly, Erika Lemay, fashion, faux leather, FLEXA Collection, flexibility, footwear, Franco Sarto, Handcrafted, handmade, handstitched, high boots, high heels, Italian-made, knee high boot, Leather, loafer, mule, Nappa leather, recycled, shoe making, shoemakers, shoes, slide shoes, slingback pump, style, sustainability, Sustainable, Top