Rene Caovilla

Rene Caovilla is an Italian shoe designer. He was born in Fiesso D’Artico, Italy in 1938.

Rene Caovilla’s path into shoemaking began with his father, Edoardo who was a student of famous shoe industrialist Luigi Voltan.

During the 50s Rene studied shoe design in Paris & London. After completing his studies he began to work for his father learning the shoe industry from the bottom up.

In the 1960s Mr. Coavilla took over the family business and really began to make his presence felt by creating opulent, sensual evening shoes. He met his wife, Paola, whose family was also in the footwear business at a shoe fair. Paola became responsible for public relations and the Caovilla handbag line. His concentration was on the high-end of the market, making his mark as a sculptor of opulent evening shoes. His work is known for elegant detailing and high quality.

In the 1970’s encounters with the fashion industry led to exceptional work alongside Valentino Garavani. The collaboration between the couturier and the designer lasted over twenty years, to create cult objects and crazes sealed with the Valentino by René Caovilla logo. Later on Caovilla also began collaborating with the Christian Dior fashion house (1990-1995), working in close partnership with John Galliano to produce magnificent, almost fairy-tale creations. Then it was the turn of Chanel (1995-2000), where the artistic spirit of Caovilla fused with the rigorous, stylistic genius of Karl Lagerfeld. Today, Rene Caovilla has salon boutiques in Milan, Rome, Paris, Dubai, Tokyo and Beverly Hills.

On 10 September, 2007, Harrods hired a live Egyptian cobra to protect the shoe counter, guarding a pair of haute couture ruby, sapphire and diamond encrusted sandals launched by Rene Caovilla.