André Perugia

André Perugia was a French shoe designer. He worked with designers including Paul Poiret, I. Miller, Charles Jourdan, Jacques Fath, and Hubert de Givenchy.

Born in Nice, France in 1893 from Italian emigrant parents, he grew up in a family of shoe makers. At the age of 16, Andre Perugia started to work for a shoe maker. Quickly, he found out that he had more knowledge than his boss and took over his father business.

Nice, at this time, was home to a wealthy and brilliant society and young Andre Perugia become famous for his craft.

Paul Poiret (the king of fashion)Paul Poiret who was vacationing in Nice, solicit the young Andre. But WWI cut short their project. It is in 1920, that finally, Paul Poiret introduced Andre Perugia to the Parisian society. A year later Andre Perugia opened his first boutique, 11 rue du Faubourg st Honore, which is the most fashionable street of Paris.

Rapidly, Andre Perugia started designing shoes for the rich and famous. In 1927, he crossed the Atlantic and came to New York where he was celebrated by the high society.

In 1933, he created the brand Padova, which was exclusively distributed within the U.S by Saks 5th Avenue.

By then, Andre Perugia had then already moved 2 rue de la Paix, where he remained until his the end. He continued to design and supply his wonderful shoes throughout the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s.

He retired in 1970 and died in 1977 at age 84.