Interviews|November 2024
Functional beauty and the collaborative craft of making shoes
Susanna Cognigni is our senior shoes and accessories designer, leading the design of our women’s footwear and bags since our first collection in 2017. For the past few years, she has been based in Civitanova, a seaside city in the Marche region, where most of our shoes are produced, and near where she was born and raised in a large family of shoemakers.
With both parents and most of her relatives working in the shoemaking business, Susanna was introduced to the craft from a young age. ‘It was just something I was always surrounded by. In the summertime, when school was closed, I would help my father in his workshop, designing and cutting leather, and drawing chalk lines where the stitches would go. Now, after more than 20 years in the trade, it’s incredibly valuable for me as a designer to understand how products are made,’ she says.
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The Marche region, on the east coast of Italy, has a shoemaking tradition dating back to the 1400s. Today, specialists in every aspect of the shoemaking process – from the last maker to the tanneries, heel and sole makers, and those crafting trims and hardware – can be found in towns like Civitanova.
‘To me, that’s the main benefit of making our shoes here. Most of the companies are small and family-owned, and there’s so much knowledge and skill passed down through generations. I have a very close relationship with the people I work with – from the owners of the companies to the seamstresses and leather cutters. The design of our products is developed in dialogue with them. They refine our ideas, and sometimes, they even bring their own suggestions. It’s a beautiful exchange.’
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In her work with ARKET’s collection, Susanna favours a simple, unadorned, and – above all – functional aesthetic. Rather than relying on trims or embellishments, the shape of each shoe is what gives it character. The process begins with the last – a wooden mold used to shape the shoe, precisely customised to each individual design, which lays the foundation for the rest of the shoe’s components.
‘We design for the modern woman, someone who has a lot to do during the day – going to and from work, dropping off or picking up the kids, or going for an aperitivo in the evening. So, what she wears must be practical and comfortable. It’s easy to make a beautiful shoe, but it needs to be functional; otherwise, it won’t be worn. With a garment, you might tolerate a little discomfort since you can still move freely, but with shoes, comfort is essential,’ Susanna says.
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Care guides
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How to care for jersey garments
Care guides|November 2024
Jersey is a knitted fabric commonly used to make T-shirts, loungewear, and more. Properly caring for your jersey garments will help maintain their softness and stretch.
How to care for suede
Care guides|November 2024
Suede is crafted from the underside of leather hides, offering a soft, fuzzy finish. Due to its delicate nature, it is important to properly care for your suede products to extend their lifespan.
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How to care for leather garments
Care guides|November 2024
Leather is a hard-wearing yet sensitive natural material. As leather ages, it develops a beautiful patina, showcasing its unique character and history over time.
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How to care for leather shoes
Care guides|November 2024
Leather is a durable yet sensitive natural material that, if properly cared for, will age beautifully. ARKET shoes are made using selected high-quality hides that have undergone a chrome-free tanning process. Slight variations in colour and texture are natural characteristics of leather, making each pair unique.
More editorial
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Functional beauty and the collaborative craft of making shoes
Interviews|November 2024
Susanna Cognigni is our senior shoes and accessories designer, leading the design of our women’s footwear and bags since our first collection in 2017. For the past few years, she has been based in Civitanova, a seaside city in the Marche region, where most of our shoes are produced, and near where she was born and raised in a large family of shoemakers.
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Designing for longevity with Sofia Snöborgs Tüll, ARKET Head of Production & Sustainability
Interviews|November 2024
ARKET’s design philosophy is grounded in a commitment to quality and longevity. Sofia Snöborgs Tüll, our Head of Production & Sustainability, dedicates much of her efforts on improving resource use. Her work includes testing and expanding business models focused on resale, repair, and rental.
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Moments of presence with Mario Milana
Interviews|November 2024
The works of Mario Milana focus on the interaction between the body, mind, and objects. With this approach, the Milan-based furniture designer attempts to integrate the habit of presence into everyday life, looking to expand the meditative practice beyond an assigned time and place. ‘If you have to interact with something both physically and mentally, then you're present in that moment.’
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The hidden features of our typeface ARKET Sans
Design|November 2024
Meant to reflect our preference for simplicity, functionality, and longevity, the ARKET logo isn’t a logo but merely the name of the brand set in uppercase in our own bespoke type family, ARKET Sans, which was developed in 2015 by the Icelandic and Danish design duo Or Type.