OUR HISTORY
The origin of the Friulane
The Friulane was born in the Friuli region, a historically agricultural area in Italy, known for its strong artisan tradition. In the 19th century, peasant families in the region, limited by scarce resources, began crafting this footwear from recycled materials. The result was a comfortable, lightweight, and sturdy shoe, ideal for farm workers and families looking for practical everyday footwear.
From the Friuli countryside, the Friulane found their way to the Republic of Venice, where they became the gondoliers' footwear of choice. These iconic sailors of the Venetian canals needed a shoe that was quiet, durable, and without nailed soles, so as not to damage the wood of their gondolas and move noiselessly through the city.
Over time, the Venetian aristocracy adopted the Friulane as a symbol of elegance and sophistication, beginning to use refined velvets and hand-embroidered details that transformed this shoe into an exclusive piece of footwear.
tabarca
A journey between Italy and the Mediterranean
Our story begins in Tabarca, a beautiful island with Italian roots, where tradition and Mediterranean culture intertwine. Inspired by this unique fusion, we created Tabarca , a brand that reinterprets classic Friulian shoes with a timeless design, while maintaining the artisanal approach and authenticity that characterizes them.
The Friulians in the 21st Century
The Friulane has transcended its functional origins to become an iconic shoe in the world of understated luxury and sustainable fashion. From Venetian palaces to the streets of the world's greatest fashion capitals, the Friulane remains synonymous with elegance, comfort, and exclusivity.
In a world where fast fashion and mass production have dominated the industry, Friulane represents a return to the essence of the handmade, to the history woven into every seam and the beauty of carefully selected materials.
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