FASHION

On Their Toes

The AGL designers share their style secrets.


Giusti Sisters

The three sisters at the helm of Attilio Giusti Leombruni (AGL), the Italian luxury footwear brand, have style in their blood. Their grandfather opened his own factory in Montegranaro, Italy in 1958, and over the span of 50 years and three generations, the family has managed to fill his very large shoes. Here, the Giusti sisters Sara, Vera, and Marianna share the secret to a good shoe, their inspirations, and favorite places to shop.

Occupation: Sara: Sales manager at AGL Vera: Communication manager at AGL Marianna: Designer at AGL

How are your styles similar and different? Sara: My style is decisively minimalistic. Marianna is more feminine and romantic and, Vera has a more alternative style with a strong inclination to experimentation. We trust each of our styles and we usually shop together. Vera: We have different characteristics and this diversity is reflected in each of our styles. Nevertheless, we always agree on stylish choices when creating a collection. So, I think that somehow we have a basic taste that joins us.

Does style run in the family? Vera: Our grandfather was a very stylish man; he always dressed in a sartorial suit and wore a Borsalino just to go to work. I hope he has passed his elegance gene to us. Sara: Our grandmother was also an elegant woman. She had that kind of cushy elegance: discrete and simple – her style mixed with our grandfather’s elegance made the key element to the AGL style. Marianna: I hope the Giusti family’s elegance gene will pass on our children too.

What’s the key to a good pair of shoes? Sara: The mix of masculine style with a feminine touch. Marianna: A good shoe must be comfortable too. Vera: The perfect shoe must be the discrete protagonist of the outfit reflecting the personality of the person wearing it.

Describe your daily uniform: Marianna: Total black outfit and a pair of jeweled ballet flats. Sara: Masculine shirt and a maxi cashmere scarf. Vera: Mono color little black dress with lace-up shoes.

Finishing touches: Marianna: Sexy lingerie. Sara: A piece of family jewelry. Vera: A maxi bag in genuine leather.

Nighttime look: Marianna: Extremely feminine but not flashy. Sara: A satin tuxedo. Vera: A vintage long dress.

Style icons: Vera: Stella Tennant is my style icon. She is a wonderful person with so much class and has a great personal style. Sara: Tippi Hedren in “Marnie”. Marianna: Edith Head, the famous stylist mocked by Edna Mode.

Best recent discovery: Vera: Axel Void’s murals. Sara: Valerio Berruti’s works. Marianna: The collection of bottles at Emilio Restaurant, all painted by Vedova, Castellani and other artists.

Favorite stores: Sara: Ler Devagar bookshop in Lisbon. Vera: Dover Street Market in Ginza. Marianna: Absolute Vintage in London.

Style pet peeve: Sara: Too flashy fashion. Vera: Loud cellphone ringtones. Marianna: Chipped nail polish.

Last purchase: Vera: A Vivetta’s shirt. Sara: A plastic shirt from Junya Watanabe. Marianna: Delpozo coat.

Lusting after: Marianna: A day of shopping with my sisters. Sara: An intimate dinner. Vera: A relaxing facial and body treatment.

Always in your bag: Marianna: Fire-red lipstick. Sara: Penhaligon’s perfume Vera: My cellphone.

Something you would never wear: Vera: Clothes that have been made through the exploitation of children. Sara: Fake leather shoes Marianna: Clothes that don’t reflect my personality.

Most prized possession: Vera: A silk shirt hand-sewed by my grandmother. Sara: My wedding dress. Marianna: My shoes collection.

Fall wardrobe must-have: Vera: Crystals embroidered mountain bootie. Sara: Cammello cashmere coat. Marianna: Black over-the-knee boots.

Photos: On Their Toes

Sara, Vera, and Marianna Giusti. Photo courtesy Attilio Giusti Leombruni.

Sara, Vera, and Marianna Giusti. Photo courtesy Attilio Giusti Leombruni.

Sara, Vera, and Marianna Giusti. Photo courtesy Attilio Giusti Leombruni.

Photo courtesy Attilio Giusti Leombruni.

Sara, Vera, and Marianna Giusti. Photo courtesy Attilio Giusti Leombruni.

Sara, Vera, and Marianna Giusti. Photo courtesy Attilio Giusti Leombruni.

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