October 24 - 27, 1955 | Chicago National Shoe Fair
The date marks the first Italian participation to the Chicago National Shoe Fair under the patronage of the Italian Minister of Foreign Trade. It was held at the 10th floor of the Conrad Hilton Hotel with nineteen Italian shoemakers and 800 models showcased.
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International Footwear Trade Show
Chicago | National Shoe Fair | October 23-27, 1955
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It was the first - successful - attempt to attack the north American market; however, the majority of the producers lacked a thorough knowledge of the overseas rules (i.e. different sizes and measurements plus demanding import taxes to be calculated) making the expedition subject to improvement. In other words, they said: you're making great shoes, now learn how to sell them!
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Chicago
National Shoe Fair | October 23-27, 1955
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A small section was dedicated to the historical footwear from Vigevano's Pietro Bertolini collection - now International Footwear Museum of Vigevano - including a replica of a Charlemagne shoe (second from left, near the window sill) and the soprano Lina Cavalieri's boot (top right).
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1955 | Historical footwear from the Cav. Bertolini collection showcased at
The National Shoe Fair, Chicago
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1955 | Italian shoes at
The National Shoe Fair, Chicago
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October 24-27, 1955 | National Shoe Fair, Chicago
Mr. Vibelli and Mr. Remo Zaffaroni of VIBELSPORT with the GUANTO shoe
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October 24-27, 1955 | National Shoe Fair, Chicago
Shoemaker ALA | Vigevano
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Vigevano, then Italian footwear capital, got center stage, but the trade show featured shoemakers from other Italian cities as well; here's the complete list including the two mentioned above:
CAVALIERE and AMENDOLA(Naples)
A.B.C. and LA ROMAGNOLA (Forlì)
GODIVER (Verona); VAF (Lomazzo, Como)
GRIFFI (Legnano, Milan); THE FLORENCE IMPEX (Florence)
VIBELSPORT (Nerviano, Milan); CORNUDA (Cornuda, Treviso)
ACFA (Milan)
CI-CE-SA, MANTOVANI, ALA, ZIMONTI, FERRARI, VICARBO, CROSIO, URSUS (All from Vigevano)
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1955 | A.C.F.A. (buckles)
Milan
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1955 | Mantovani
Vigevano
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1955 | Romeo Griffi
Legnano, Milan
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1955 | Godiver by Romano Godi
Verona
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