Where Innovation Meets Sustainable Luxury

Born in Ecuador's Andes mountains and educated across three continents, Felipe Fiallo emerged as a groundbreaking force in sustainable luxury footwear. Named by Forbes as an "Unstoppable Innovator" and recognized by Vogue Italy among their "Top five sustainable sneakers trends," Fiallo's journey from industrial design to fashion innovation showcases the power of creative vision combined with environmental consciousness.

The Making of an Innovator

After designing the award-winning "Luxury Train of Ecuador," Fiallo made a bold pivot to fashion in 2018, pursuing his studies at Istituto Marangoni Firenze in Luxury Accessories Design and Management. This decision marked the beginning of his mission to revolutionize luxury footwear through sustainable innovation. His time at prestigious fashion houses like Ferragamo, Stella McCartney, and Adidas further shaped his unique perspective on luxury design.

Recognition and Achievement

In 2020, Fiallo's talent caught international attention at the prestigious International Talent Support (ITS) Contest, where he competed against 630 participants from 60 countries. International Talent Support (ITS) is one of the most recognized platforms worldwide that showcases and promotes the most promising and innovative talents in the fashion industry. His seven-piece eco-futuristic collection We Go Far won both the ITS Fondazione Ferragamo Award and the ITS People's Choice Award, celebrating his innovative fusion of fashion, biology, and digital manufacturing.

For Fiallo, luxury is inseparable from sustainability. Through biodegradable materials, digital fabrication, zero-waste processes, and 3D printing, he's proving that eco-conscious design can be irresistibly chic. His participation in initiatives like CNMI Fashion Hub's MFW Forward further demonstrates his commitment to advancing sustainable innovation in the fashion industry.

As Fiallo continues to rewrite the narrative of luxury footwear, his vision remains clear: Earth regeneration isn't just an option—it's the new luxury.

FIALLO: The Brand

Established in Milan in 2022, FIALLO represents the evolution of luxury footwear. The brand combines seductive design with sustainable innovation, crafting each piece in Tuscany where traditional Italian artisanship meets cutting-edge technology. His iconic Upcycled Digital Python Boot, now part of the Museum at FIT's permanent collection in New York, exemplifies this revolutionary approach.

The brand's research and development span across Italy's Veneto and Lombardia regions, with technological partnerships extending to Germany, Portugal, and Switzerland. This international collaboration ensures each creation pushes the boundaries of sustainable luxury while maintaining impeccable quality.

Istituto Marangoni's Legacy of Nurturing Talent

For over 85 years, Istituto Marangoni has been nurturing and empowering emerging talents in fashion, art, and design, equipping them with the skills to thrive on the international stage. A testament to this is Felipe Fiallo, who was selected for the MFW Forward project within the CNMI Fashion Hub, an initiative by Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana that champions the most innovative and sustainable fashion start-ups. His journey exemplifies the school's dedication to transforming creativity and research into pathways for global success.

As Fiallo explains:

“I always think about doing things to connect people and I deeply believe in the contamination of different fields to create something new. When I design, I don't start from esthetic, I start from a concept or a philosophy.”

“Thanks to Istituto Marangoni I’ve achieved all the skills to work in the luxury industry, and after that I’ve reached also the knowledge of sustainability. Now I know how to translate the esthetic of nature to fashion, thanks to biology, technology and design.”

Beyond technical expertise, the institution also emphasizes the power of narrative in fashion.

"Istituto Marangoni Firenze gave me all the tools to understand how to create a narrative for the fashion world," Fiallo reflects. "When you make a collection, you are not just creating products: you are talking to a community."

This holistic approach ensures that graduates not only master craftsmanship but also develop a unique creative voice, allowing them to shape the future of fashion.