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"Made in Italy, the pillar of the accessories brand, at the center of the world.
The luxury “artisan”, Vittorio Martire, opens up exclusively to VelvetMAG in a face-to-face dedicated to Made in Italy and the noble concept of craftsmanship passed down from fathers to sons, still intact. Vittorio grew up in a family that has been producing shoes for a hundred years, spanning four generations, working as subcontractors for well-known brands in both the national and international segments. However, today, he has decided to create a spin-off inproduction by founding his own company, named Vittorio Martire Milano. The companyis located inMilano, with its headquarters in the heart of the fashion district.
Concrete projects, well-defined objectives in his strategy, and Martire does not intend to miss any: class, style, luxury, but above all, the uniqueness of each product, strictly handmade, guided by careful input from both personal insights and his in-house specialists. The peculiarity of the young entrepreneur, who also aims for an upcoming stock market listing, is his ability to align his image with the brand, much like other important leaders and business captains. As he expressed, “Today, being an ambassador for your product is a fundamental mission towards stakeholders, whether they are distributors or end customers, partners or investors, thus directly managing the 'architectural' strategy that leads to the chosen direction by its creator”.
Vittorio Martire, exclusive interview with VelvetMAG
How did the decision to break away from the family tradition and start your own venture arrive, and what were the motivations behind it?
I come from a family that has been producing shoes for many Italian and international companies for several generations. Vittorio Martire Milano was born as a spin-off, a recognizable vehicle, an identifying brand with a new upstream project: that of its own identity, drawing from the family know-how. Before representing my line, I worked in our family businesses, taking with me a strong knowledge of the market and the relevant industry. Being part of the fourth generation and living in a different era, I did not want to continue working as a subcontractor. Instead, I aimed to differentiate myself and rely on my own exclusive product, which had long been in my plans. As Master Cucinelli says, “Nurture and favour those who use their hands”. I did not want to lose the so-called 'craft' in favour of mass production.
What does Made in Italy mean to you? Do you think it is a value that is diminishing?
No, I don't think so. Made in Italy is a DNA that cannot be lost; it is part of our millennial tradition. One of the reasons I chose the brand Vittorio Martire Milano is precisely because it needed to convey a clear message, especially abroad: Italy! We are and must be small ambassadors in the world.
Why do you consider yourself an ambassador of yourself? What is the concept?
Innate curiosity. One day, while travelling with some of my agents, I realized that something needed improvement. As a keen observer, I understood that I had to be the true ambassador, both as a sign of credibility towards the customer and as a responsibility towards the entourage and my partners, whether they are suppliers or investors. And, of course, it is impossible to exclude the personal passion that has always distinguished me. The excitement I feel every day in showcasing our creations around the world is exhilarating. By operating firsthand, I felt, and still feel, that I could convey a certain type of sensation.
Let’s talk about individual products, starting with their creation.
I enjoy playing while I work; it's a bit of my modus operandi. Everything starts from the mind. The input always comes from me and proceeds to the executive team. I believe the past era was the most beautiful, from various arts to craftsmanship. Let's say I'm nostalgic. I was enchanted to see my father and grandfather in action. That kind of “handmade” has an unparalleled charm, that respect for material and product, a magic that I've carried with me since childhood. I have always considered it the true added value that machinery can never provide. A precious added value, moreover, that is disappearing or being sold out to large holdings. Upstream, I see the idea, creating an identity, I have it drawn, and I follow the process step by step. Also, on a technical level, I try to inspect step by step, from the design to the search for fabrics and colours.
The location in the centre of Milan is not exactly a boutique or a tailoring workshop. Can anyone come, or should they get in touch with you in advance? How are the spaces structured?
A location strongly desired. It initially started as a representation office. I decided to give new life to the space, lettingit live continuously throughout the year. With the Atelier, I also share my desire to grow and pamper customers, who usually reach us with prior notice. Also, oldfashioned word-of-mouth plays a role, with a very specific prerogative: people are chosen for their characteristics and personalities, not just for economic possibilities.
What are the three fundamental goals or missions that Vittorio Martire has set for 2024?
First and foremost, we focus a lot on our representation in Dubai. The second is the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, with whom we have direct contacts up to the highest institutional levels. Participating in the upcoming Fashion Week in Riyadh is a cornerstone of our company. Thirdly, the search for a solid partner for openings on different fronts and in various parts of the world. To all this, I would add the e-commerce project, which we are actively working on.
To which person would Vittorio Martire Milano give thanks today and, of course, why?
To my family, obviously; my father, without a doubt, for trust, esteem, and the desire to believe in me. Their foresight has been the driving force behind everything. I share with them a large part of the company's decisions. From small details to more delicate decisions, considering that my father is also one of my reliable producers, it says a lot about our extraordinary, both emotional and professional, bond.
