Banfi Zambrelli

Taylor Instep Strap

Silvano Banfi, a native of Milan, was born into a shoemaking family and by the age of 18 was already designing and producing shoes for Gucci, Bally, and Gianni Versace. In 1994, he moved to the U.S. and worked with Calvin Klein, Banana Republic, and Coach. It was while working at Coach he met Frank Zambrelli, a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology and design alum of Chanel, John Varvatos, and Cole Haan. After the duo helped launch Coach's extension into footwear, they opened a studio and presented the first Banfi Zambrelli collection in the fall of 2002. Since their launch, the two designers have designed for brands like Judith Leiber, Calvin Klein, and Nanette Lepore. Their fine Italian-crafted shoes are often architectural in feeling with designs that make a woman feel empowered and sexy.