FASHION /
FEATURES
February 20, 2015
Louis Vuitton Classic Serenissima Run: An Epilogue
Louis Vuitton or The Art of Travel
Louis Vuitton Classic Serenissima Run: A Special Edition
The Quality and Pride of Louis Vuitton—Fiesso d'Artico (1)
Encounters woven by the mysteries and coincidences unique to travel... The classic car race from Monte Carlo to Venice, Italy, was precisely that. Near Venice, the destination, lies Fiesso d'Artico, Louis Vuitton's shoe atelier. Vintage cars gathered one after another. What appeared to be an old building turned out to be a modern structure that defied factory norms. There, we learned about Louis Vuitton's craftsmanship and high quality. We also had the opportunity to speak with Yves Carcelle, Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton.
Photographs by LOUIS VUITTONText by GORO HOSOMURA (OPENERS)
A 'Magic Box' Where Classic Cars Stopped Near the Race's End
Crossing snow-dusted mountain ranges from Monte Carlo, the classic cars finally arrived in Verona, a city in Italy that retains its medieval streetscape. The symbol of this city is the ancient Roman amphitheater (Arena di Verona) in its center. In the summer, outdoor operas are held here, and it is known as a city of art, also famous as the setting for Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." Its beauty is so renowned that the "Historic Centre of Verona" has been registered as a World Heritage site (Cultural Heritage, 2000).
Now, driving east for a while from there, about 33 kilometers from the destination, Venice, along the Brenta River in the Fiesso district, lies Fiesso d'Artico, Louis Vuitton's proud shoe atelier. Classic cars gathered here one after another, and the contrast with the modern appearance of the building created a strangely captivating atmosphere.
Fiesso d'Artico reopened in September 2009 after three years of research and one year of construction. It is an innovative atelier equipped with a design studio, workshops, an art gallery, and a training center. Here, they produce men's, women's, and made-to-order (MTO) shoes. Notably, they have adopted a new stance of placing creativity within industrial projects. As a symbol of this, the latest technology is introduced, and contemporary art is displayed throughout. The design, which makes ample use of natural light, harmonizes with the environment, and prioritizes the comfort of the staff, is surrounded by greenery and is superb. It is truly a green building.
Some may wonder why this particular location. In fact, this area has long been famous for women's shoe production. As early as the 13th century, shoemakers were crafting footwear for the Venetian nobility and upper classes. Naturally, traditional Italian artisan techniques have been passed down. Under the direction of CEO Yves Carcelle and Director of the Shoe Division Serge Alphandari, the know-how and craftsmanship of Italy have been fused with Louis Vuitton's French will to enhance creativity and expertise. The renowned architect Jean-Marc Sandrolini designed this place, drawing inspiration from Louis Vuitton's shoe boxes. This is also why it is referred to as a "magic box."
The words of CEO Yves Carcelle encapsulate what Fiesso d'Artico represents.
"This is not just a place; it expresses our roots and our connection to the past. Founder Louis Vuitton opened his first store and an atelier for quality control in 1859. He later established independent ateliers. This philosophy is carried on within this building, equipped with the latest facilities in terms of energy consumption, temperature control, and waste management, by housing four specialized workshops. Like the leather goods atelier in Asnières and the watchmaking workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Fiesso d'Artico is a tool for conveying emotion. Tradition expressed through modernity.—Our aspiration for excellence is evident in the various techniques used in the manufacturing process, from cutting to hand finishing, and in our complete understanding of leather. The training facility, resembling a school, and the art gallery on-site are established with the aim of 'making exceptional quality the norm by applying high-level excellence to shoe manufacturing.'
Louis Vuitton or The Art of Travel
Louis Vuitton Classic Serenissima Run: A Special Edition
The Quality and Pride of Louis Vuitton—Fiesso d'Artico (2)
The Unique Know-How of Fiesso d'Artico
Symbolizing an approach based on an unceasing pursuit of quality, its core lies in placing absolute trust in the intuition and expertise of artisans, rather than being bound by standardized machine-made production. This is the essence of Louis Vuitton's unique and tasteful creation.
The four workshops are each named and have distinct characteristics. First, 'Taiga' produces classical men's shoes with leather soles, utilizing traditional Blake and Blake Rapid construction methods, as well as hand-sewn Goodyear welting. It is a space for returning to the purest tradition: craftsmanship.
'Nomade' is responsible for men's and women's rubber-soled moccasins. Using hand-sewn moccasin construction, all the artisan's skills are integrated to achieve unparalleled quality.
'Speedy' creates men's and women's sneakers. This atelier combines both robotic and traditional operations. It is mechanized with the latest lasting machines, and the interior is ergonomically designed.
'Alma' is the elegant women's shoe atelier. Its objective is clear: to create exceptional pieces using a variety of materials, from leather to satin, without limiting the standard of excellence, and to embody all technical innovations.
While the external appearance is important, the skills of experienced artisans and their rigorous attention are applied to unseen details. This dedication is why Louis Vuitton can create the shoes it envisions.
The Importance of Being 'Ready for Quality Control'
The final inspection of shoes before they leave the atelier is considered the most crucial keyword in all operations. Louis Vuitton is not just making 'footwear'; it is crafting 'shoes.' And the products reflect the environment in which they were made. This atelier possesses the magic to make that possible. It is the result of the atelier's noble spirit, which infuses the artisan's sensitivity—hands and eyes—accumulated experience, and tradition into the creation, while meticulously addressing details to solve problems. Indeed, it is 'ready for quality control.'
It takes at least 50 different revisions to create a single shoe prototype. Furthermore, 500 pairs of shoes are completed in just five days for a single runway show. At Fiesso d'Artico, time exists to make the impossible possible. Culturally, it combines a distinctly Italian sensibility with French organizational and rationalization of workflows. This combination is believed to hold infinite potential.
The demands from customers, artisans, and designers are endless, but the results are proportional to the atelier's daily challenges. It is about delivering surprising results amidst the constant shifts in demands, technology, dreams, and reality. Simultaneously, achieving creativity and functionality gives meaning to Louis Vuitton's exceptional comfort.