fashion*
D
aniele is of Italian descent, and has always had an eye for fashion. “I was born in South Africa but raised Italian to make sure I never forgot that I was Italian,” he laughs. “Growing up in an Italian home was beautiful, lots of food and family time. I think this played a big role in me getting into the fashion industry.” Daniele’s father was always well groomed and well dressed. “He played a huge role in me wanting to have good clothes, shoes and look good. My uncle Franco was a shoe designer, so he was also a huge inspiration.” Since he was a schoolboy, Daniele had a passion for drawing shoes and clothes. “When the teacher asked the class to each chose something and draw it, I always used to take my shoe off and draw that.” Studying shoe design in Milano in Italy for four years, Daniele received his diploma from the Arsutoria School – a well-known international fashion design school for shoes and bags. “From the time I came back from Italy and thought I was a qualified shoe designer, I realised that this was only the beginning,” says Daniele. “Working as a designer I travelled to many parts of the world, inspirational trips prior to building my collections. On these travels I met many
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Ciao BELLA
KATRINE ANKER-NILSSEN DISCOVERS THE STORY BEHIND DANIELE DI MAURO’S BEAUTIFUL ITALIAN LEATHER FOOTWEAR
ABOVE: Capri, R699. LEFT: Pazza, R399. other talented designers and gained so much experience in what I loved to do.” As a result of these travels, Daniele realised he wanted to build and make an Italian shoe brand in South Africa. “When I was studying in Italy, my design teacher Senior Bacchi took me under his wing and gave me a lot of time and care. He told me that I had the potential be a top shoe designer, and gave me so many ideas
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