At Berluti, it’s footwear first.

To drive home the point, the brand’s presentation at the Simone et Cino Del Duca Foundation in Paris kicked off with a giant cast of a foot, reminiscent of the monumental marble body parts you might find at the Capitolini Museum in Rome. 

The shoes, on the other hand, are getting lighter. The new Farniente is as soft as a slipper, while an updated version of the classic Alessandro oxford, based on an original 1895 design, is so supple you can bend it in half. 

The presentation unfolded in the various rooms of the grand 19th-century townhouse overlooking the Parc Monceau. In one room, leather hides beckoned to be touched. In another, an artisan laser etched visitors’ initials on leather bookmarks, in homage to the Scritto, Berluti’s signature 18th-century manuscript motif. 

On the first floor, a room filled with bowls of candy showcased the brand’s foray into smaller day bags. Designed to complement its travel and work assortment, the 1 Jour de Poche is as compact as a paperback and comes in an array of Berluti’s trademark patina colors. 

Next door, an installation extolled the virtues of the Shadow sneaker with a host of technical details. From cashmere knit for winter to cooling knit for summer, the shoe is designed to work across seasons. 

The ready-to-wear collection functioned as an extension of the shoes. To go with the new loafer version of the square-toed Mont Thabor: a cream striped suit with a slightly cropped trouser leg, or a textured blue blazer with a chino-styled cuffed pant.

A navy Shadow sneaker, meanwhile, was paired with a light blue linen version of the Forestière jacket, which has been a brand staple since parent company LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton’s acquisition of bespoke tailor Arnys in 2012. 

Berluti now offers the jacket, originally designed in 1947 for architect Le Corbusier, in a choice of fabrics from Nona Source, LVMH’s surplus fabric platform – another sign that it keeps moving with the times.