By Jesse Scott
Shoes seized the spotlight as always, this Milan Fashion Week, with Italy’s finest heritage brands displaying both traditional artisanship and contemporary style. Mirroring the symphony of vibrant colors and glamorous silhouettes that dominated the runway this season, most brands opted for footwear that was feminine, flirtatious, and just plain fun. Five stood out in particular: here is my guide on who to focus on for Spring/Summer 2026.
Fratelli Rossetti
Fratelli Rossetti is embracing Italian summer in all its delightful pastel shades. Presenting the new collection in the format of “La Cremeria Rossetti,” (mantra: scooping tradition, serving elegance), the 72-year house proposed its beloved Brera loafer and tasseled Hobo slipper, amongst other styles, in a series of eight joyous colors each named after a specific ice cream flavor. Strawberries and wild berry provided playful glamour while stracciatella, hazelnut, and my personal favorite fior di latte encapsulated timeless elegance and a quiet if sumptuous luxury. Innovative within a foundation of tradition, Fratelli Rossetti continued to upgrade detailing this season; leather paillettes and a sophisticated “treasure chest” motif added personality and structure to several designs.
Santoni
Santoni collaborated with Venetian artist Lorenzo Vitturi to spectacular effect this season; the 50-year-old Maison’s new collection was presented alongside a series of sculptures and photographs that paid tribute to the passion and artisanship behind each pair of Santoni shoes. “The idea behind the project was to use sculpture and imagery to celebrate the exceptional quality of Santoni’s materials and the Maison’s deep-rooted passion for artisanal craftsmanship, where excellence and the transformation of raw materials take center stage,” Vitturi explained to guests. The result: dramatic photos of Santoni’s Origine leather immersed in Venetian lagoons, being actively transformed by air, water, and light, and intricate sculptures combining leather with Murano glass, Venetian beads, and Peruvian yarn.
This season, Venetian artist Lorenzo Vitturi collaborated with Santoni in the creation of several exclusive sculptures and photographs.
Casadei
Casadei teamed up with beloved Sicilian designer Alessandro Enriquez to explore “Strawberry Fields Forever” for Spring/Summer 2026. Both Cesare Casadei and Enriquez have curious and imaginative souls; as Cesare said in the press release “we share the same enthusiastic spirit, one that leads us to observe work and life through the eyes of an amazed child that finds stimulation in everything around them.” “Energy, creativity, joy, and color” anchor both designers’ worldviews and the sartorial fruit of their collaboration. Enriquez’ pop art strawberry motif dances with Casadei crystals, leopard print embraces a playful “wild side,” and heart imagery paired with vibrant stripes decorates flats perfect for summer days in Portofino or Antibes.
Even aside from the Enriquez capsule, Spring/Summer 2026 was a particularly strong season for Casadei. Venus, a satin cone heel, was presented in covetous pastel shades of lavender and citrine. The Belle Epoque blade was given an intoxicating glamour by an oversized jewel while the ever-fiery Andromeda was proposed in Samurai red patent leather to distill the spirit of a “summer of lust.” For those who prefer more reserved designs, the Elsa platform with its low heel offered stability and comfort within a sleek style.
Forever at the forefront of footwear innovation, Cesare also introduced the 3D printed Futura capsule of flats. One of my colleagues had the pleasure of trying them…and said they molded to her foot like a glove!
Casadei and Alessandro Enriquez collaborate for a spectacular SS26 collection (Images courtesy of Casadei)
Le Silla remained the gold standard in feminine elegance for Spring/Summer 2026. Whether graceful neutrals or nostalgic pastels, unique and sophisticated colors were the protagonists uniting the collection. Giza sand and mayo butter yellow evoked leisurely picnics at the beach, while mojito green and malibu blue offered the retro romance of slightly faded polaroids.
New this season were the bold Gisele thong sandals, which distill flirtatious femininity into beach club-ready zebra and leopard-printed pony skin. For those who prefer a glamorous garden party, the Uma Garden capsule proposed a deadly 140 mm stiletto in striking shades such as rose, azalea, and peony.
La Silla SS26 collection offers unmistakable stilettos in decorative and intricately crafted silohuettes (Images courtesy of Le Silla)
Giuseppe Zanotti shifted from the unapologetic glamour to reserved elegance in recent seasons; in Spring/Summer 2026, he struck the perfect balance. Celebrating the past while embracing a bold new future, the ever-charismatic designer brought back his iconic Slim design, which he first sketched at a napkin on a seaside restaurant, this season. The jewel-frosted silhouette, a fish motif draping across the foot, was joined in sparkling splendor by a series of graceful designs anchored by singular oversized gems. Giuseppe was guided by a philosophy of “intentional jewels” this season, achieving evening elegance while eschewing ostentation. The result was one of his strongest collections in recent memory, and one which is sure to shine on the red carpet this coming season.
For SS26, Giuseppe Zanotti reveals fish motifs and jewel-frosted silhouettes (Images courtesy of Giuseppe Zanotti)
