Rene Caovilla
Encyclopedia
Rene Caovilla, born in 1938 along the Riviera del Brenta
in Fiesso D’Artico (VE
), Italy
,is an Italian fashion designer.
, the man who initiated the Riviera del Brenta's distinguished history of shoe-making. Edoardo Caovilla favored high-end fashions marrying craftsmanship with couture. Edoardo’s wife would embroider shoes by hand in a small room with four other people. This room has been preserved in the main entrance of the Caovilla factory.
In 1950, Rene Caovilla went to Paris and London to study design. He returned home to put into practice his teachings with his father, who insisted Rene work from low level tasks as well as every phase of production.
In the early 1960’s he took over the family business from his father. He met his wife, Paola, whose family was also in the footwear business at a shoe fair. Paola became responsible for public relations and the Caovilla handbag line. His concentration was on the high-end of the market, making his mark as a sculptor of opulent evening shoes. His work is known for elegant detailing and high quality.
Beginning in the 1970’s, he worked with Valentino Garavani.. In the 1980’s, he began to collaborate with Christian Dior
and Chanel
.
Working alongside Karl Lagerfeld
in 2000, Caovilla decided to create jeweled shoes. On 10 September 2007, Harrods
hired a live Egyptian cobra to protect the shoe counter, guarding a pair of haute couture ruby, sapphire and diamond encrusted sandals launched by Rene Caovilla.
Among the numerous celebrities that have been seen wearing Rene Caovilla shoes are Jennifer Aniston
, Tyra Banks
, and Heidi Klum
.
Riviera del Brenta
Riviera del Brenta is the coastline of the Naviglio del Brenta which runs from Padua and through the Veneto countryside, through Stra, Fiesso d'Artico, Dolo, Mira, Oriago and Malcontenta to Fusina , in the North-east of Italy.From 16th to 18th century many venetian aristocratic family built their...
in Fiesso D’Artico (VE
VE
VE, Ve or ve may refer to:* Vili and Vé, gods in Norse mythology* Vé , a shrine in Germanic paganism and modern place name element* Ve , a character from the Cyrillic alphabet* Ve , a character of the Arabic alphabet...
), Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
,is an Italian fashion designer.
Biography
Edoardo Caovilla, the father of Rene Fernando, was a student of Luigi VoltanLuigi Voltan
The Luigi Voltan Shoe Company is a shoemaker founded in the Italian village of Stra in 1898 by Giovanni Luigi Voltan .After returning to Italy from the United States, Volton introduced serialized production process for his factory. The mechanization of some phases of the cycle allowed him to cut...
, the man who initiated the Riviera del Brenta's distinguished history of shoe-making. Edoardo Caovilla favored high-end fashions marrying craftsmanship with couture. Edoardo’s wife would embroider shoes by hand in a small room with four other people. This room has been preserved in the main entrance of the Caovilla factory.
In 1950, Rene Caovilla went to Paris and London to study design. He returned home to put into practice his teachings with his father, who insisted Rene work from low level tasks as well as every phase of production.
In the early 1960’s he took over the family business from his father. He met his wife, Paola, whose family was also in the footwear business at a shoe fair. Paola became responsible for public relations and the Caovilla handbag line. His concentration was on the high-end of the market, making his mark as a sculptor of opulent evening shoes. His work is known for elegant detailing and high quality.
Beginning in the 1970’s, he worked with Valentino Garavani.. In the 1980’s, he began to collaborate with Christian Dior
Christian Dior
Christian Dior , was a French fashion designer, best known as the founder of one of the world's top fashion houses, also called Christian Dior.-Life:...
and Chanel
Chanel
Chanel S.A. is a French fashion house founded by the couturier Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, well established in haute couture, specializing in luxury goods . She gained the name "Coco" while maintaining a career as a singer at a café in France...
.
Working alongside Karl Lagerfeld
Karl Lagerfeld
Karl Lagerfeld is a German fashion designer, artist and photographer based in Paris. He has collaborated on a variety of fashion and art related projects, most notably as head designer and creative director for the fashion house Chanel...
in 2000, Caovilla decided to create jeweled shoes. On 10 September 2007, Harrods
Harrods
Harrods is an upmarket department store located in Brompton Road in Brompton, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London. The Harrods brand also applies to other enterprises undertaken by the Harrods group of companies including Harrods Bank, Harrods Estates, Harrods Aviation and Air...
hired a live Egyptian cobra to protect the shoe counter, guarding a pair of haute couture ruby, sapphire and diamond encrusted sandals launched by Rene Caovilla.
Among the numerous celebrities that have been seen wearing Rene Caovilla shoes are Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Joanna Aniston is an American actress, film director, and producer, best known for her role as Rachel Green on the television sitcom Friends, a role which earned her an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.Aniston has also enjoyed a successful film career,...
, Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks
Tyra Lynne Banks is an American model, media personality, actress, occasional singer, author and businesswoman. She first became famous as a model, but television appearances were her commercial breakthrough...
, and Heidi Klum
Heidi Klum
Heidi Samuel , better known by her birth name Heidi Klum, is a German model, actress, television host, businesswoman, fashion designer, television producer, and occasional singer. In 2008 she became an American citizen while maintaining her native German citizenship...
.