Berluti
LVMH · France
Berluti is a Paris men's shoemaker founded in 1895 by Italian craftsman Alessandro Berluti and owned by LVMH since 1993. Known for bespoke shoes and patinated leathers, it has grown into a full menswear and leather goods house.
| Founded | 1895, Paris |
|---|---|
| Founder | Alessandro Berluti |
| Owner | LVMH (since 1993) |
| Headquarters | Paris, France |
| Production | Gaibanella, near Ferrara, Italy |
| Website | berluti.com |
What is Berluti?
Berluti is a French luxury house focused on men's footwear, leather goods and ready-to-wear. It is part of LVMH. Its reputation rests on bespoke shoemaking and coloured leather finishes, and it has expanded into a broader men's wardrobe.
History
Italian craftsman Alessandro Berluti moved to Paris at the end of the 19th century and designed his first shoe, the Alessandro lace-up, in 1895. The family opened a boutique on rue du Mont-Thabor, and Olga Berluti later became known for the house's distinctive leather patinas. LVMH acquired Berluti in 1993. Under Antoine Arnault, who led the company from 2011 to 2023, it bought the Paris tailor Arnys in 2012, added leather goods and ready-to-wear, and hired designers including Alessandro Sartori, Haider Ackermann and Kris Van Assche. It returned to Paris Fashion Week in 2023 and dressed the French team for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic opening ceremonies.
Products and positioning
- Bespoke shoes: around 50 hours of work and over 250 operations per pair, according to LVMH.
- Ready-to-wear and demi-mesure shoes, including the Andy loafer.
- Leather goods since 2005, such as the Deux Jours bag.
- Men's ready-to-wear since 2011.
Business model and distribution
Berluti sells through about 60 boutiques worldwide according to LVMH, plus its own e-commerce and selected department stores. Footwear and leather goods are produced in Gaibanella, near Ferrara in Italy, while the company is based in Paris.
The house's colour work, applied by hand to finished leathers, gives each pair or bag an individual finish. In 2018 Berluti updated its logo with the Paris studio M/M Paris, and it has worked with artists and partners such as Oliver Peoples on eyewear.
Why it matters
Berluti is one of the few luxury houses built specifically around men's shoemaking. It illustrates how LVMH develops niche heritage craftsmen into broader menswear brands, and how bespoke services anchor a premium image.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Berluti?
Berluti has been owned by LVMH since 1993. It is part of the group's fashion and leather goods division.
Is Berluti French or Italian?
Berluti is a French house based in Paris, founded in 1895 by the Italian craftsman Alessandro Berluti. Its shoes and leather goods are made in Italy, near Ferrara.