Menghi Shoes, registering since 2009 a countertrend growth, the company headquartered in Loreto, Ancona province, is one of the most prominent enterprises in the footwear sector. Its main strength? The entirely Italian-based production Boots, flats, flip-flops, slippers, pumps, tote bags and Boston bags: if you are looking for models made in plastic – high-quality material featuring the CE marking and completely devoid of any health-hazardous substance –, you must call on her. Emanuela Menghi, the businesswoman that currently manages a group comprising three companies based in the Marche region (AlemPlast Srl, Menghi Shoes & Co. and Menghi Srl) with a production area amounting to 8,000 sqm. and 250 employees: she was the one who put in the limelight the glamorous potential of rubber, thus actively contributing to the growing success of plastic footwear and accessories among the most renowned fashion brands.
EMANUELA MENGHI, Menghi. Founder and sole administrator of the Menghi brand.
Emanuela Menghi, you have always been vocal in your opposition to the “hazardous and foul-smelling” Chinese plastic. What are the main differences with the shoes manufactured in your plants based in Loreto? Our shoes are so flawless and elegant that are second to none. The most prominent fashion brands choose us because we can provide a product featuring first-rate quality standards, yet made with low-cost materials. We strongly believe in thermoplastic rubber, since it ensures an excellence level comparable to that of luxury leather footwear. We invest significant resources in innovation: we stand out thanks to the skills acquired in the application of accessories and Swarovski crystals as well as to the ability to be a step ahead of trends in terms of design and colours. Our items are expensive because they require the use of perfect moulds, each one of them worth 10,000 Euros to 15,000 Euros. Our production is entirely Italian-based and we have never taken into account offshoring strategies.
Your summer articles are internationally renowned, less so the winter ones. What are the reasons for this difference? It’s true, we can easily promote summer collections, whereas winter articles are still met with uncertainty by the consumers. We are not yet satisfied with the growth results achieved up until now, even more so in the light of the efforts made. Countries such as Russia rely on the wrong assumption that plastic footwear is not suitable for the cold season. Conversely, it’s the perfect material because it doesn’t get wet and it’s able to keep the feet warm by using sheepskin fussbetts and pile lining.
In addition to boots, what types of shoes do you intend to develop in order to boost the winter collection? Everyday sports shoes are one of the main trends. We are designing a new line of plastic sneakers for both men and women to be showcased at the next edition of the Pitti exhibitions in Florence. We are going to focus on the creative aspects so as to arouse the customer’s interest and attention on the entire winter catalogue.
What are the future projects concerning the development of your brand identity? We work mainly as outsourcers for the high-end fashion industry by supplying the world’s most renowned companies. However, we would like to reverse the trend so as to not be fully dependant on these firms: we are investing resources in communication projects aimed at fostering the growth of the Menghi brand in order to further increase its fame. We are planning to open flagship stores is highly strategic locations. Our main reference markets and Italy and Europe, yet we have gained a strong foothold in Russia, Turkey, Japan and even America, despite the burdensome duties applied on plastic. www.menghishoes.com
Cult models of the summer collection by Menghi Shoes
The models photographed at Micam: the next Fall/Winter collection showcased by Menghi Shoes puts in the limelight the combination with natural materials such as leather, lapin and fur
