Companies

Future Fashion shuts down Design Italian Shoes

Dec 17, 2024 Italy

The Italian footwear brand DIS will cease operations in 2024 after Future Fashion's efforts to sustain the business, including pivoting to digital innovation, have proved unsuccessful

DIS (Design Italian Shoes), the Italian footwear brand known for customised footwear solutions, will cease operations on the 31^st of December 2024, as its parent company, Future Fashion, decided to shut down the loss-making business.

DIS was founded in 2015 by Andrea Carpineti, Francesco Carpineti and Michele Luconi, offering bespoke footwear through online channels and store corners equipped with foot scanners. However, the pandemic-induced lockdowns disrupted the business, leading to a decline in store visits and custom shoe orders.

In response to these challenges, DIS pivoted to create a new business unit under the Future Fashion name. This omnichannel platform, offering fashion brands 3D virtualisation and customisation services.

In 2023, Future Fashion secured 1 million euros in funding through an investment round supported by Zakeke Group, an Italian 3D product configurator, and SICI. This funding led to the integration of Future Fashion’s 3D platform with Zakeke’s augmented reality offerings, resulting in the rebranding of Future Fashion as FF by Zakeke Group.

Despite these strategic moves, efforts to secure DIS's future proved unsuccessful. In mid-2024, Aurora Capital Strategies conducted due diligence on a potential acquisition of DIS but ultimately decided not to proceed with the purchase.

Chief Executive Officer Andrea Carpineti expressed a desire to preserve DIS's work over the years, stating that production materials, shelves and stands would be stored with Copponi Group, DIS’s footwear supplier in the Marche region. Discussions are ongoing with the Copponi Group to explore whether a prospective buyer can revive the project.

Image Credits: chicagocollectivemens.com

Italy Brands Companies Footwear Shoes