Montegranaro is a stony place. And yet this small town in the east of Italy is the birthplace of graceful and elegant women’s shoes that enjoy international prestige. The family business Attilio Giusti Leombruni, AGL for short, has been producing its models here for almost 70 years. The three sisters Sara, Vera and Marianna Giusti are now the third generation of the Giusti family to manage the company and are making great strides from success to success. To mark the launch of the new “Urban Jungle” collection, we spoke to the trio about the female perspective on a male-dominated industry, among other things.
FACES: Attilio Giusti Leombruni has been a successful family business for three generations. How do you manage to maintain a balance between preserving traditions and pursuing your own path?
AGL: Our company has been producing “Made in Italy” shoes since 1958. As the third generation, we bring an important, unique and valuable heritage of processes and craftsmanship. We experiment with new stylistic solutions characterized by a very personal and recognizable aesthetic. AGL is a contemporary brand, cool but with a long history: in 1958 the company was founded, in 1968 our grandfather developed the laboratory into an industry, in 1978 our father joined the family business and managed it, in 1988 exports exceeded domestic sales, in 1998 AGL conquered the United States and doubled its turnover, in 2008 we, the three sisters, became sole directors of the company. In 2018 we opened our first retail space in Paris and in 2026 we will open the second in Milan at La Rinascente.
F: Your brand keywords range from “traditional” to “experimental”. Which of these do you think best describes AGL’s current chapter?
AGL: First of all, we design AGL products as perfect companions for women. They are simple, but elegant and cool. They don’t go unnoticed and, thanks to their strong personality, make the wearer feel comfortable and attractive. Designing a shoe is not just the creation of a fashion product, but a much broader commitment consisting of technical research, the courage to innovate and responsibility. We produce an accessory that is not only decorative, but must also be functional and support AGL customers in all their daily tasks. Tradition and experimentation go hand in hand. Without the skills that come from tradition, we could not afford to experiment.
“Instead of chasing short-lived viral aesthetics, we interpret trends through our brand identity and adapt them to products with longer commercial potential.”
F: This year’s spring/summer collection is inspired by the idea of the “urban jungle”. How did this fascination come about and when did this image first emerge for you? allized?
AGL: The name “Urban Jungle” came to us quite instinctively when we observed how women live in the city today. We thought about the contemporary urban landscape. It is dense, fast, multi-layered and sometimes chaotic. We realized that it resembles a modern jungle. Not in the literal sense, but in the way it requires adaptability, strength, intuition and constant movement. The city is no longer just a backdrop, but a living ecosystem. The image crystallized during the initial creative discussions when contrasts began to define the collection: Structure versus fluidity, boldness versus lightness, instinct versus precision. These dualities resembled the tension found in nature, wild yet harmonious, transferred to an urban context. “Urban Jungle” became the perfect expression of this vision. It captures the idea of a woman moving with confidence and fearless energy in the big city, transforming complexity into opportunity.
Q: If you had to name a real woman who perfectly embodies your “Urban Jungle” vision, who would it be and why?
AGL: Tilda Swinton is our “urban jungle” woman. She is fierce, independent and free, but at the same time so modern that she seems to be projected from the year 3000. Her style is unique and personal, built on versatile, transformative layers.
Q: To what extent do current fashion and social media trends influence your decisions?
AGL: As fashion footwear manufacturers, we would say that current fashion and social media trends influence our decisions significantly, but not blindly. Today, the speed of fashion is largely determined by platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Trends can emerge globally in a matter of days and consumer demand responds almost in real time. We monitor these channels closely as they can help us stay commercially relevant and tailor our collections to current market needs. However, as manufacturers, we cannot follow every micro-trend. Footwear production is subject to development timelines, sourcing constraints and quality standards that require strategic planning. Instead of chasing short-lived viral aesthetics, we interpret trends through our brand identity and adapt them to products with longer commercial potential. In short, social media is a powerful gauge of consumer sentiment and inspiration, but our final decisions are a balance between trend responsiveness, production feasibility, brand positioning and long-term market sustainability.
F: Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin, Giuseppe Zanotti: the world of luxury shoes has traditionally been a very male-dominated industry. Where can this heritage still be felt today, and in what ways? ow does the fact that three women are at the helm enable you to do things differently?
AGL: When we joined, the entire company changed and became more open to research and experimentation, which has led to new product categories and thus new markets for stronger business development. In addition, we place particular emphasis on sustainability at every stage of our work. The feminine sensibility has inevitably led to a new approach to design and innovation in shapes and materials. Today, the collection is based on stylistic solutions that manage to meet the needs of different types of women. More color, new shapes and new soles every season and details with a strong personality. A 65% female workforce brings traditional know-how into the modern world. The sense of connection among women is now an integral part of AGL’s DNA and is reflected in every professional behavior of the company.
“When we joined, the entire company changed and became more open to research and experimentation.”
F: Were there moments when you had three completely different visions for AGL? If so, how did you transform this creative tension into a solution?
AGL: We have a rule between the three of us: If two agree, the solution is found.
Q: Is there anything about your daily work that would surprise people if they knew about it?
AGL: What might really surprise people about our daily work is how informal and spontaneous it can be. It’s completely normal for us to design and develop a collection while sitting on the sofa and just chatting like sisters. It’s a kind of non-stop brainstorming session where one of us will share something she discovered on her last trip to Los Angeles or Korea, and that spark becomes an idea. We work with pencils and paints, scissors and pieces of leather – very practical, very instinctive. Sketches and notes emerge from these spontaneous moments. Then, of course, there’s a whole team of talented people who help us turn the dreams scribbled on paper into real pieces. It’s a process that begins in an intimate, almost playful way and evolves into something concrete through craftsmanship and collaboration.
Q: What does each of you bring to the table that the others can’t offer?
AGL: Vera brings exotic, unconventional ideas, Sara turns everything into reality and Marianna contributes her in-depth knowledge of traditional techniques.
Q: Is there a particular pair of AGL shoes that has a special meaning for you?
AGL: Our very first ballerina model with a pointed toe. In the early 2000s, after years of success with our classic round-toe ballerinas, we decided to create something new and more daring: a pointed silhouette. Our father looked at us and said: “Do you really think women have pointy feet?” But we were determined. We wanted to create the most comfortable, flexible pointed-toe ballet flats that were super feminine, practical and beautiful at the same time. In the end, the model became a commercial success and was particularly popular with celebrities in Los Angeles. What’s more, it was a turning point for us: a simple but perfect model that helped us leave our past behind and truly establish ourselves as designers.
Q: Looking ahead to the comingdecades of AGL, what do you hope will continue to develop – and what do you think should never change?
AGL: Our greatest wish is that AGL remains a family business. We absolutely want to preserve the close family cohesion within the company, the feeling of trust, care and shared vision. For us, AGL is like a family jewel that we want to protect and nurture for future generations. Another element that is absolutely crucial to the brand’s DNA is that we remain proud to be made in Italy. Our craftsmanship, our culture and our identity are deeply rooted here, and that should never change. However, everything else must evolve with the times. Change is essential, but it must be done step by step, with awareness and respect, just as we did when we joined the company. Over the last 15 years, we have changed many aspects of the company. For example, AGL has evolved from a predominantly male-led company to a team that is now 65% female, many of whom hold senior management positions. We believe in thoughtful evolution: embracing progress while honoring our heritage, and always moving forward with purpose and respect.
AGL
Anyone who slips into AGL shoes is not on the wrong track. For almost 70 years, the creations of this family-run company have been a flagship for Italian shoemaking. The highest quality in materials and craftsmanship as well as the feel of a second skin have made the brand internationally sought-after. What is cobbled together in the mountainous town of Montegranaro has conquered the sidewalks all the way to California’s Rodeo Drive thanks to celebrity fans such as Gigi Hadid, Lupita Nyong’o and Lily Collins. agl.com
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Photos: © AGL
