As 2025 comes into focus, Italian design specialist Industria del Design is setting its sights on major expansion in the U.S. market.
The company, which focuses on innovative design and development out of its Padova, Italy headquarters, has a 30-year history in the shoe industry. It employs a team of 70 people dedicated to its brand partnerships.
“We work like an in-house design team and partner closely with the creative directors of the brands,” said Massimo Giussani, chief design officer, who previously worked for brands such as Fratelli Rossetti and Nina Ricci, among others.
Industria del Design has worked with dozens of diverse names — from luxury to mass market — during the last three decades. Its partners have included Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Timberland, Tommy Hilfiger, Coach, Bally, Clarks, Kate Spade, Nine West and many others.
Now the company — led by CEO Francesco Pilli — aims to team up with more American brands who are looking for design and development expertise. “We have a deep knowledge of the American market and we want to be important there again. We want to build a strong office there,” said Micaela Sporeni, global sales and marketing director.
Part of the company’s services include an in-depth market analysis for each of its brands. “Before we start a collection, we do a very specific study about the market and the brands. We can advise our customers on their strengths, where they can go and where the opportunities are,” Sporeni said.
Sustainability is a major part of the company’s focus — with an emphasis on recycled materials, sustainable energy and eco-friendly research and development.
This year, the the company opened a Materials Research and Development Laboratory at its headquarters, developed in collaboration with Weev. The space offers a dedicated environment for experimentation, storage, analysis, and materials research. “We are always studying new technologies for footwear,” Sporeni said.
To support the next generation of footwear talent, the company also operates an academy to give aspiring designers the ability to learn and work alongside the in-house team. In the past few years, the company has brought 12 students on board full time, according to Giussani. “This is very important to us,” he said.
