If you’re passing through Rome and rather than visiting museums and galleries you want to do a little bit of shopping or are a shoe addict and want to see some amazing architectural designs, avoid Via Condotti and such likes and head to Fausto Santini’s boutique located in Via Frattina.
Though he graduated in law, Santini always had an interest for architecture and one day he decided to leave legal matters behind and dedicate his life to following his father Giacomo’s footsteps. His family had indeed a shoe shop in Rome and Santini first started developing avant-garde bags and accessories to go with the shoes.
As time passed he began designing rather arty shoes that showed his interest in avant-garde movements and architecture and also collaborated with architects and interior designers such as Aldo Rossi, Andrea Branzi, Antonio Citterio, Sergio Calatroni.
In 1970 Santini opened his first Rome-based boutique launching innovative and revolutionary collections and selling from then on his shoes and bags all over the world, from Paris (you will find Santini’s boutique in 4 Ter, Rue du Cherche Midi) to Bangkok.
If you visit Santini’s boutique in Rome now you will find a range of sandals and H-shaped wrist bags in the softest nappa leathers, characterised by linear lines and bright colours (think Jean Charles de Castelbajac meets the Centre Pompidou and you get an idea…), but also footwear from Santini's Autumn/Winter 2009 collection.
The latter includes two-colour high heel boots and plateau shoes in shades of charcoal grey and with architectural or geometrical details such as thick rounded heels.
Unfortunately the boutique’s shop assistant’s smile changed into an expression of hate and contempt when he spotted me taking pictures, so I regrettably had to put my camera away after taking my first and last photograph that I'm posting here.
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