# Italian-Made Sophisticated Footwear Barneys NY & Ermenegildo Zegna Launch a Sleek Collaboration By Kalin Ned | Published 2018-04-12 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sophisticated-footwear References: [thewindow.barneys](http://thewindow.barneys.com/ermenegildo-zegna-bny-sole-series/) & [zegna](https://www.zegna.ca/ca-en/home.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=cdn_en_brand&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIm-Gvwbiw2gIVEbXACh1mpgPFEAAYASAAEgJsE_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CLrUsMm4sNoCFU-oaQodyyUL8g) When one is on the hunt for the ultimate specimen of sophisticated footwear, one usually needs to look no further than Europe. American retailer Barneys [New York](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hello-kitty-3) and Italian shoe experts Ermenegildo [Zegna](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zegna-x) collaborate on a 2018 collection of fashion-forward and contemporary casual sneakers. Ermenegildo Zegna is a family-run business that handcrafts sleek and sophisticated footwear with high-end materials in a workshop in Italy. For the collaboration with Barneys New York, the Europeans rework their classic Vittorio silhouette. The result is an exclusive [sophisticated footwear design](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flex-oxford-collection), called Vulcanizzato. Boasting a soft and hand-brushed suede upper in a gray or light brown, the exquisite casual sneakers incorporate a subtle detail of a leather heel patch. Mixing artisanal touch with high-end retail, the BNY Sole Series is bound to get some attention from consumers. Photo Credits: [Ronald Stewart](http://www.ronaldstewartphotography.com/), Ermenegildo Zegna ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.0/10 - Popularity: 79% | Activity: 34% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/shoes) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **European-made Footwear:** The high-quality materials and craftsmanship of European-made footwear represent an opportunity for fashion brands to target consumers who value luxury and exclusivity. - **Collaborative Fashion Collections:** Creating collaborative fashion collections between brands with complementary products or customer bases can appeal to a wider range of consumers and create unique, in-demand products. - **Handcrafted Footwear:** The rise of artisanal and handcrafted products creates a market opportunity for brands to differentiate themselves from mass-produced offerings and appeal to consumers who value quality and uniqueness. ### Who This Affects Most - **Luxury Footwear:** The luxury footwear market can leverage the allure of high-quality materials and European craftsmanship to target affluent consumers seeking exclusivity and luxury items. - **Fashion Retail:** Fashion retailers can explore collaborative collections like the Ermenegildo Zegna and Barneys NY Vulcanizzato shoes to create unique offerings and target new customer segments. - **Handcrafted Goods:** The handcrafted goods segment represents an opportunity for brands to appeal to consumers seeking unique, artisanal products that they cannot find in mass-produced offerings. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Luxurious Ergonomic Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/1774-line.md) - [Luxury Men's Footwear Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/luxury-mens-footwear.md) - [Modern Shoe Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sergio-rossi.md) - [Sophisticated Italian-Made Boot Silhouettes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jb-ander.md) - [Hairy Suede Handcrafted Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bread-clog.md) - [Timeless Footwear Collaborations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buck-mason-x-sanders.md) - [Refined Comfort-Focused Footwear Lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/luxury-footwear1.md) - [Ultra-Sophisticated Men's Loafers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/loafer-in-ivy.md) - [Elevated Footwear Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ensemble-1774.md)