ViBi Venezia is a modern footwear brand with some serious historical cred, at least when it comes to the shoe style it produces. Founded in 2015 by Venetian sisters Viola and Vera Arrivabene Valenti Gonzaga, the brand has carved out a niche in the world of contemporary fashion by reimagining a classic, humble shoe: the furlane. Also known as friulane, this type of shoes was originally made in the Friuli region of northeastern Italy, but they have since become a symbol of quiet elegance and sustainable craftsmanship, as well as a trend embraced by the fashion world, all thanks to Vibi Venezia.
The story of the furlana goes back at least to the 19th century, when women in the countryside created them from scraps of fabric and old bicycle tires, which were stitched together with resourcefulness and care, producing a soft, slipper-like shoe. The recycled rubber soles made them both eco-conscious and practical – and ideal for everyday use. Eventually, the humble furlana made its way to Venice, where gondoliers appreciated its soles that wouldn’t damage the varnished wood of their boats. This utilitarian footwear gradually evolved into a staple of Venetian daily life.
For the Arrivabene sisters, who were raised in a palazzo overlooking the Grand Canal, furlane were part of their everyday attire: their mother, Countess Bianca di Savoia Aosta, had always encouraged appreciation for local traditions and craftsmanship. The sisters, eventually, decided to turn their childhood footwear into a business when they realized that the world beyond Venice had little access to these elegant yet simple shoes. Thus, ViBi Venezia was born with a mission: to create shoes that relate to tradition but are suited for contemporary wardrobes.
From the beginning, the brand has placed a strong emphasis on quality and heritage: Each pair of shoes is handmade in Italy, primarily in a family-run workshop near Udine, using fine textiles like velvet, linen, and cotton. The characteristic rubber sole is still present, a nod to the shoe’s origins, but the designs are refined, fashionable, and made to last. ViBi’s furlane are produced in limited batches to ensure craftsmanship and reduce waste, and the brand often collaborates with artists and designers to release special collections.
ViBi Venezia’s reinterpretation of the furlana has also drawn attention from major fashion publications and international retailers: heir shoes have appeared in the pages of Vogue, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar, and can be purchased from top e-commerce platforms such as Net-a-Porter, MatchesFashion, and Moda Operandi. They are also stocked in boutiques across Europe and the United States, including well-known department stores like Bergdorf Goodman and Le Bon Marché. In addition, the brand’s official website ships internationally, so if you fancy a cool pair of ViBi furlane you can easily get them shipped to your doorstep.
The brand has also benefited from organic celebrity support: among those spotted wearing ViBi Venezia shoes are Kate Moss, Katie Holmes, and Sofia Coppola, likely attracted to the brand by its perfect balance between lowkey luxury and comfort.
But, perhaps, what makes ViBi Venezia stand out more is not simply the elegance of their product, but the philosophy behind it, which is more about cultivating a lifestyle rather than chasing after short –living seasonal trends. A sign of it lies in their furlane’s versatility, as they can be worn indoors or out, dressed up or down; they fit as naturally at a countryside lunch as they do in a city gallery. And while they may carry the cachet of luxury, they retain a sense of informality and ease.
By taking a traditional Venetian slipper and giving it new life, ViBi Venezia brought back a symbol of Venetian life, but also created a story of revival – of artisanship, of place, and of slow, thoughtful design. Through their shoes, the legacy of the furlana steps confidently into the modern world.
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