The history of Car Shoe
The world's first driving shoe

It all began in 1963 in Vigevano, a flourishing center for the footwear industry. Combining his passions for race cars and fine handmade shoes, the Italian artisan Gianni Mostile patented the first driving shoe in history: a deconstructed loafer featuring a sole set on tiny rubber studs. This revolutionary design soon came to describe an entire shoe category.

From specialized racing magazines to fashion publications, by the second half of the 1960s, the Car Shoe loafer had already established itself as a quiet luxury staple, associated with a lifestyle stemming from subtle elegance and an inherent good taste. Over the years, Car Shoe has attracted a sophisticated clientele, including members of the jet set and politicians, from Ingrid Bergman to John Fitzgerald Kennedy, from Giovanni Agnelli to Sofia Coppola.

2001 marked a new chapter in Car Shoe's history with the company's acquisition by PRADA Group, which aimed to strengthen the prestige of an Italian brand founded on principles of craftsmanship and innovation. With this spirit, the 1963 logo was reintroduced, and, over the years, the patented design's original image, style, and features were restored.

In 2013, Car Shoe celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a series of special projects: a new driving shoe was launched in collaboration with Automobili Lamborghini; the Driver's Club came to life as a space dedicated to lifestyle and tradition, inspired by the passion for driving; a pop-up store opened during the historic Revival Festival car race in Goodwood. In 2014 the 'Car Shoe Bulletins' initiative was born—travel notes on the world's most famous routes.

In 2002, the first Car Shoe flagship store opened in Via della Spiga 50, in Milan: a wide open space reflecting the brand's duality of dynamism and tradition. Later, the store moved to its current location in Via della Spiga 1, with a modern, subtly sophisticated architectural concept. The choice of fine materials, such as briar root, Alcantara, and leather, is inspired by luxury cars, and every detail conveys a true sense of craftsmanship.

A second store is located in Forte dei Marmi, Versilia, a sophisticated seaside destination that embodies the brand's casual elegance. Here, the walls are entirely decorated with Car Shoe's signature yellow boxes, creating a unique atmosphere and emphasizing the footwear displayed in wooden niches.