The Original Car Shoe
{{Short description|Italian high fashion brand}}
{{Infobox company
| name = The Original Car Shoe
| type = Subsidiary
| foundation = 1963
| industry = Fashion
| parent = Prada
| homepage = [http://www.carshoe.com/ www.carshoe.com]
|}}
The Original Car Shoe, or simply Car Shoe, is an Italian high fashion brand owned by Prada.[http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5bad33c2-c280-11df-956e-00144feab49a.html Rachel Sanderson, Prada sales increase 30%, FT.com]
Early years
Car Shoe was founded in 1963 by Gianni Mostile.{{cite web|title=The Car Shoe Brand Facts, ecofriendlyadvisor.com|url=https://ecofriendlyadvisor.com/car-shoe-brand-facts/|accessdate=31 December 2021}} The brand soon became best known for its signature moccasin which feature tiny rubber nubs. The brand earned a patent from the Italian Ministry of Industry and Trade and its advocates included Giovanni Agnelli, U.S. President John F. Kennedy{{cite web|title=Car Shoe Opens New Milan Flagship|url=http://www.fashionwiredaily.com/first_word/news/article.weml?id=757|accessdate=2 October 2010}} and Roberto Rossellini.
Prada takeover
In 2001, Car Shoe was assimilated by Prada, which soon opened stores in Milan and Capri in the next two years and introduced the line into over 200 major boutiques internationally. Prada launched Car Shoe's first bags in 2004.
Car Shoe's traditional driving shoe is now available in a wide range of colors and leathers, and even in a new children's collection.
Under Prada's control, Car Shoe sales have seen much growth. Its 2005 turnover of 17 million euros ($21 million) represented a remarkable 180% surge in sales from 6 million euros ($7.5 million) in 2004, and its sales increased by 33% in 2008 compared to the previous year.
Imitations
According to Fashion Wire Daily, Car Shoe is one of the six most copied labels in the Chinese capital.[https://www.fashionwiredaily.com/first_word/news/article.weml?id=757 Car Shoe Opens New Milan Flagship] The Car Shoe was famously copied by Tod's. In 2014, Ferrari director Lapo Elkann attacked Tod's CEO Diego Della Valle for the imitation declaring that the Car Shoe was the "one that first launched the driving shoes with the gommino sole — and not Tod’s."[https://wwd.com/feature/lapo-elkann-confronts-diego-della-valle-on-facebook-8035258-980190/ Lapo Elkann Confronts Diego Della Valle on Facebook][https://lookdavip.tgcom24.it/lapo-elkann-prende-a-scarpate-diego-della-valle/ Lapo prende a scarpate Diego Della Valle]
Stores
References
- [http://www.fashionwiredaily.com/first_word/news/article.weml?id=757 Fashion Wired Daily]
- [https://ecofriendlyadvisor.com/car-shoe-brand-facts/ The Car Shoe Brand Facts, Ecofriendly Advisor]
External links
- [http://www.carshoe.com Official website]
Notes
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