Florence, Italy–A fashion fairytale if there ever was one, Erica Pelosini and Louis Leeman met in Florence at fashion school about ten years ago, fell in love and now they run their own shoe label together out of a palazzo designed by Raffaello Sanzio.
Erica, a highly personable creative, has worked for Karl Lagerfeld and Anna dello Russo, with whom she has styled photo shoots for Vogue. Like the models she works with, Erica is a natural with the camera.
Slightly more shy but just as charismatic, Louis, a Dutch designer, took it upon himself to learn the traditional techniques of Italian shoemaking after studying at Polimoda in Florence. He constantly works on creating a sense of harmony between traditional Italian shoe making and the jetset lifestyle he enjoys with Erica.
Together they are the young co-creative directors of the Louis Leeman brand, whose plush loafers have been spotted on Jared Leto and the Rolling Stones.
“Lifestyle and the brand go hand and hand. This lifestyle is how we have always been. We reflect the brand that way,” Louis told BACO.
“When you believe in something 100 percent, you can get there,” Erica said.
BACO’s Editor-in-Chief Sofia Celeste caught up with Erica and Louis in the garden of their Renaissance-Era Florentine palazzo to discuss their personal style:
LOUIS
AGE: 31
PERSONAL STYLE: I am quite casual. I love tailored jackets and jeans. I love my blazers, but I am a very easy person.
THE LOOK: Tailor made blazer, pocket square and shirt, Louis Leeman green crocodile shoes, bracelets from trips to destinations like China and Spain
ALWAYS: Blazer
NEVER: Long track pants
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ERICA
AGE: 29
PERSONAL STYLE:”I like to wear couture with vintage. I like a mix, like something very exclusive, embroidered mixed with something like a ripped t-shirt. I would say I am classic but messy.”
The LOOK: Emilio Pucci bag and dress and Aquazurra shoes.
ALWAYS: “You will barely see me with pants. I always wear a skirt, mini skirt or shorts — everything that is short.
NEVER: “Sport shoes… I don’t even own them.”
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: BACO STYLE: Erica Pelosini and Louis Leeman, White Milan: Where Trends Don’t Apply , Unexpected Finds at Pitti, BACO STYLE: Mickael Francois Loir of Le Loir en Papillon, Decoding Pitti Style, Men’s Collections Explore New Horizons
