In 1892, Milton Florsheim began producing shoes in a small factory located in Chicago, Illinois. The first pairs of Florsheim shoes made by Milton and his father, Sigmund, were a remarkable combination of style, comfort and high quality workmanship.
But shoes were not the only things Milton was building. He realised from the very beginning that a high quality product was only one of the factors necessary for success. A strong distribution network would be essential in making certain his exceptional footwear found its customers – entrepreneurs and self-starters in big cities and small towns across a fast growing nation.
First established as a men's footwear brand, Florsheim has since evolved, launching a women's line in 2003. The women's collection demonstrates the same high quality, hand crafted premium footwear. Once again encompassing Florsheim's attention to detail, comfort and of course, style.
Though the specific shoes may change from season to season and year to year, all Florsheim shoes, designed for both men and women, are shoes of distinction.
Florsheim commissioned renowned international architect Eric Carlson, Director of Carbondale in Paris, as the artistic director of this dynamic new retail environment. David Venner believes Carlson, who oversaw the entire project and recently designed the new Louis Vuitton stores in Paris and Japan, has "created the perfect platform to showcase Florsheim's ever evolving contemporary fashion collection of Men's and Ladies shoes." Anthony Lloyd, Director of Studio Plus Group, designed the internal fit out in conjunction with Eric Carlson and the new store represents the ultimate luxury shopping experience.
Eric Carlson describes the design of the Florsheim flagship store: "At the urban scale the two-story Florsheim facade is conceived as a luminous, light & airy stacking of ephemeral boxes framed on both sides by the opaque, metallic neighboring stores. The facade design is materialized as a multi-layered collage of colored glass squares and rectangles, to all appearances magically suspended within the thickness of the façade."
"At the pedestrian scale the box shaped squares are an intermingling of classical shoe-leather colors of black, brown and sand with an assortment of squares are mirco-perforated with varying sizes of the Florsheim crest logos inspired by the wing tip brogue leather perforations. Working with the Interior Architecture team, Studioplus we positioned box-shaped window displays and entry doors to display the products, but also to frame views into the interior spaces for the passersby."
Anthony Lloyd says, "The interior scheme further develops Florsheim signature design palette with the addition of travertine marble display plinths with water jet cut patterns detailing the iconic brogue pattern. Modern interpretations of the Wingback Club chair have been manufactured in England specifically for the project. A Heritage Wall back dropped in deep gold Moire wallpaper exhibits a gallery of framed images tracing the brands history from Milwaukee to the present day."
DIAMONTES ON THE SOLES OF HER SHOES
FLORSHEIM unveils its new Zizi Collection S/S 2011/12
The new Zizi BY FLORSHEIM Spring Summer 2011/2012 collection is designed for contemporary women who covet classic sophistication and elegance. Distinguished by the tell-tale diamante on its leather sole, each timeless Zizi design offers the perfect solution to moving seamlessly from work to play, and on to evening.
Zizi by Florsheim is ideal for those who expect more from their shoe wardrobe in terms of quality in design, comfort, materials, and price point. Drawing on Florsheim’s international heritage of quality, and the brand’s global presence, Zizi brings inspiration from around the world, transforming it into footwear today’s woman will love and love to wear.
Crafted from luxurious soft calf leather, ultra soft patent, fine grade suede, snakeskin, fun printed fabrics, and quirky tied-dyed nubuck, the collection features up-to-the-minute jewel-like colours, neutrals, and enduring noir.
The Zizi range will be available from Florsheim stores and exclusive outlets nationally from August 2011.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ZIZI SPRING SUMMER 2011/2012 LOOK BOOK
This week marks the start of the Sydney Film Festival, running from Wednesday June 8th – Saturday June 19th. Check out the video we will be running on the massive 17sqm big screen!