LET THE PLAYOFFS BEGIN
BERLUTI PRESENTS ITS NEWEST STATEMENT FOOTWEAR FOR THE FALL/WINTER 2022 SEASON: THE PLAYOFF SNEAKERS
Luxury leathermaker Berluti has been crafting shoes for elegant men since it was founded in Paris in 1895. In the years and decades that followed, as the Parisian house with Italian roots continued to evolve, every new generation of the house cultivated exceptional savoir-faire in the mastery of form, especially in working with leather and patinas. The result of this passion are footwear creations that are incomparably elegant and comfortable. But more than simply a prestigious shoemaker, Berluti has always represented a certain art de vivre.
For this season there’s a looser, more fluid and relaxed feel to Berluti’s collection. While the brand’s ready-to-wear offerings bring a resolutely modern feel to the maison’s famously timeless designs, Berluti is also expanding its shoe collection with a new statement sneaker.
For the fall/winter 2022 season, Berluti presents the Playoff sneakers. This latest footwear creation is inspired by the high-top basketball sneakers of the ’80s and ’90s. Coincidently, this new design also pays homage to Berluti’s firstever sneaker, the Playtime. To that end, the Playoff displays a distinctive sporty design thanks to Berluti’s know-how and flair.
These new sneakers boast a sturdy structure made using Venezia leather, ensuring excellent durability. The upper’s assembled cutouts are the result of impressive artisanal work composed by 80 leather pieces. Arguably the best example of Berluti’s savoir faire in leatherworking, however, is the refined folded leather technique used on the toe and the back of the shoe.
Comfort is also elevated in the Playoff, thanks to the anatomic insole and the mesh lining.
Berluti’s trademark details including a range of sporty features are seen on the padded Venezia leather tongue, along with a series of exquisite perforations. The thick rubber outsole also takes part into making the Playoff more comfortable, with the show then completed with a leather insert on the heel with a pop of color that matches the laces.
Furthermore, for this new trademark sneaker of the season, Berluti provides options including the sportier and more eye-catching high-top alongside a more classic and timeless low-top option. Both are embellished with the Berluti Scritto signature.
Of course, the variety doesn’t stop there, as the Playoff sneakers are also available in four different renditions with two specific patina treatments. Classic shades such as the iconic Nero Grigio and Honey—the brand-new seasonal color for this fall/winter—offer an understatedly chic option for a day-to-day wardrobe. Meanwhile, for more adventurous spirits, there’s the splashier option with a Neon patina, an innovative technique from Berluti which requires more than three hours of work just for this special treatment. In this exciting rendition, the upper edges are highlighted in a contrasting tone by hand using a pencil. Several chosen hues such as Steel Blue & Red and Purple & Blue add further contrast.
As a final touch, every set of Playoff sneakers are accompanied by an extra pair of white laces and come in a special canvas pouch that matches their heel tab color. All in all, this classic yet striking new addition makes for the perfect statement piece to elevate any look.
“This new design also pays homage to Berluti’s firstever sneaker, the Playtime. To that end, the Playoff displays a distinctive sporty design thanks to Berluti’s knowhow and flair”