Behind the Friulane

We love it when girls all over the world fall in love with our shoes for the first time–we love it even more when they become interested in the history and process behind each pair. This edition of the Viani Vernacular will be part of an on-going series on the history, craftsmanship and the artisans that bring our brand to life. 

First off, we must debunk the myth that they are Venetian or from any other place in Europe–they were sold to Venetians, but more on that later. The shoes first came to fruition in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, a stunning region in northeastern Italy that borders Austria to the north and Slovenia in the south. Proximity to these countries and other Italian cities have deeply-enriched the culture and traditions of Friuli. Spanning from the Alps to the Dolomites, the abundant greenery, white-wine vineyards, mountains and coast line make it one of the most striking places in Italy.

It’s not known exactly when the friulane slippers–originally called scarpets–were first made, but their origins go back at least two centuries, at a time where the population lived off agriculture and managed to make ends meet by being resourceful. The first shoes were made with old clothing garments for the top-layer and discarded bed sheets for the lining and the soles. Fun fact: Versions in velvet fabric were reserved for more formal occasions such as baptisms or weddings.

For centuries, Venice served as the most important cultural and trade hub for Italy and the rest of Europe and so the Friuli artisans eventually introduced their footwear in the city’s markets. With time, tweaks and improvements were made to the shoes, most notably using recycled tires for the soles giving them remarkable durability and traction, thus becoming the shoe of choice for the Venetian gondoliers. Fun fact #2: Viani shoes are still made with recycled tire rubber! Much like the denim jean or the trench coat, which started out as working class staples and made its way to the top of the socioeconomic ladder, nobles took notice of the shoe and began wearing them in high-end versions crafted in luxurious fabrics, for example silk shantung.

Through time, the friulane slippers have been a staple in Europe, but in recent years, they have become as popular as ever all over the world, having been worn by some of the world’s chicest fashion icons like Kate Moss and Katie Holmes.