How Aquazzura Became the Luxury Shoe Brand That Made Comfort Fashionable

Once upon a time, when uncomfortable heels were the norm and sneakers were reserved for the gym, one talented young designer decided to change the status quo.

Edgardo Osorio, the co-founder and creative director of the Italian luxury footwear label Aquazzura, proved that women could have it all.

Aquazzura means “blue water,” and Edgardo Osorio says the pineapple is a symbol of hospitality and good fortune

Osorio’s commitment to combining luxury and comfort helped Aquazzura stand out among Italy’s many designer shoe brands, earning it global recognition and a loyal celebrity following. Below, we explore how Aquazzura became a favorite in modern women’s wardrobes.

How Aquazzura Reinvented Luxury Footwear With Comfort at Its Core

It may be difficult to remember, after almost a decade in which sneakers have been at the forefront of the footwear market, but “comfortable” used to be a dirty word in the fashion industry.

Women were encouraged to accept that beauty came with a cost. That is, until Edgardo Osorio came along.

Edgardo Osorio, the visionary co-founder and creative director of Aquazzura, has redefined modern luxury footwear with his fusion of Italian craftsmanship and contemporary design (Credit: Delbo Andrea / Shutterstock)

The Colombian-born designer was a revolutionary footwear designer from the beginning. At just 16, he was accepted into London’s renowned Central Saint Martins and worked for illustrious Italian designers Roberto Cavalli and Salvatore Ferragamo for almost a decade before branching out on his own.

Edgardo had often heard women complaining about their uncomfortable shoes and was trying to make a difference.

Eva Longoria, Katy Perry, Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle, Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, and Nicole Kidman wearing Aquazzura heels (Credit: ABACA / PA IMAGES / Aaron Chown / Jane Barlow / INSTARimages)

Aquazzura was launched as a privately owned label in Florence in 2011 and was met with immediate success. Edgardo and co-founder Ricardo D’Almeida worked with Italian artisans and experts in human anatomy to develop a shoe of unparalleled quality and comfort.

Aquazzura quickly became a favorite shoe brand among celebrities and influencers. Their designs were nicknamed “the 12-hour shoe” because they were truly comfortable enough to wear for an entire day.

Celebrity Style Moments: Stars Who Swear by Aquazzura

From red carpet events to exclusive collaborations, Aquazzura continues to captivate fashion-forward celebrities. Explore these standout moments:

Simone Biles Lights Up the 2025 Met Gala in Custom Aquazzura Platforms

Among the many standout arrivals, Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles made a striking entrance with her husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens. The power couple embraced the evening’s celebration of Black style with coordinated looks that exuded confidence, flair, and fashion-forward elegance.

Simone Biles and husband Jonathan Owens turned heads at the 2025 Met Gala, with Biles dazzling in custom bright blue Aquazzura “Yes Darling” platform heels and a dramatic high-low gown, perfectly complementing Owens’ white suit and fur-accented cap (Credit: Doug Peters / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Inside Aquazzura’s Rise: Italian Craftsmanship Meets Digital Strategy

Edgardo and Ricardo have always had an undeniable talent for combining the best of both worlds. Their business strategy balances tradition and innovation.

Aquazzura is based in Florence, so the world’s most talented artisans can craft shoes from high-quality Italian leather.

Aquazzura’s luxury footwear display showcases the brand’s commitment to Italian craftsmanship, featuring bold, fashion-forward designs handcrafted in Florence from premium leather (Credit: Sorbis / Shutterstock)

A pair of Aquazzura heels takes up to 10 months to create and is meticulously crafted by about 120 artisans using centuries-old shoemaking techniques. About half the process involves handmade craftsmanship, with machines for refinement and finishing details.

Edgardo and Ricardo have the utmost respect for the intergenerational expertise employed by their artisans and want to ensure the tradition of Italian craftsmanship is upheld.

Aquazzura shoes are meticulously handcrafted by artisans using centuries-old shoemaking techniques (Credit: Aquazzura)

Their marketing strategy, on the other hand, is filled with cutting-edge techniques. Aquazzura has always relied on the power of social media and the internet, citing their online shop as their primary traffic source.

Aquazzura has long prioritized accessibility without compromising on luxury. To reach a wider range of shoppers—and ensure the brand’s long-term sustainability—the label strategically prices roughly 30% of its collection under $695, offering attainable entry points alongside its higher-end designs.

Aquazzura uses social media for its marketing strategy and has worked with high-profile celebrities to help grow its brand (Credit: Aquazzura)

They have worked on growing their brand through high-profile collaborations with some of the biggest names in fashion.

Olivia Palermo, Poppy Delevingne, legendary supermodel Claudia Schiffer, rising designer Racil Chalhoub, and fine jewelry creators Ana Khouri, Anissa Kermiche, Sabine Getty, Noor Fares, and Eugenie Niarchos have all collaborated with Aquazzura.

Edgardo Osorio and Claudia Schiffer attend the Claudia Schiffer for Aquazzura Launch at Saks Fifth Avenue on October 17, 2017 (Credit: Ovidiu Hrubaru / Shutterstock)

Aquazzura’s Identity: Italian Riviera Roots & the Meaning Behind the Pineapple Logo

Edgardo Osorio has a diverse background, having grown up in Miami and London, but his heart belongs to his adopted home in Italy. When he moved to Florence, the designer fell in love with the relaxed lifestyle, sunny weather, stunning architecture, and delicious cuisine.

The brand name is a homage to Italy’s picturesque coast and warm climate. A combination of aqua (water) and azzurra (blue), Aquazzura is named after the sunshine and sparkling waters of the Italian Riviera.

Aquazzura’s name pays homage to Italy’s coast and warm climate, combining aqua (water) and azzurra (blue) (Credit: Aquazzura)

Their pineapple logo is another symbol of warmth and luxury. Found on the bottom of every Aquazzura shoe, the golden pineapple symbolizes positivity in both European and Asian cultures.

Edgardo initially chose the tropical fruit after noticing stone pineapple sculptures at the entrances of Mediterranean villas in Italy and France.

He was thrilled to learn that the tropical fruit was also used as a talisman for good fortune in Asia. This meant that Aquazzura girls could walk around with a lucky charm on their soles.

Aquazzura’s pineapple logo is a symbol of warmth and luxury and is used as a talisman for good fortune in Asia

Over the years, Aquazzura has become the go-to brand for playful party shoes. Their opulent designs feature bold colors, metallic accents, exotic prints, and whimsical details.

Edgardo doesn’t pigeonhole the Aquazzura woman into a specific demographic; he’s seen women from 19 to 70 enjoy his designs.

His main goal is to make women feel beautiful and comfortable. To him, fashion is simple – if a design makes a woman feel better and look better, he’s succeeded.

Iconic Aquazzura Styles That Took Over the Fashion World

The brand has regularly sold shoes since its 2011 debut, but a few Aquazzura designs deserve honorable mentions.

The Sexy Things, the brand’s first design, had a year-long waitlist a month after hitting the shelves. The suede ankle boot/sandal hybrids were continually sold out in their first few years of production. They had an impressive roster of celebrity fans, including Gigi Hadid and Kim Kardashian.

Kim Kardashian and Gigi Hadid are wearing the Aquazzura Sexy Things, which was a boot and sandal hybrid (Credit: @kimkardashian / Instagram / WENN)

Five years later, the fringed Wild Things became the sandals of the summer. The playful strappy sandals joined their predecessors on instantly sold-out lists and were spotted on fashion icons such as Rihanna and Solange Knowles.

Many celebrities have been spotted wearing the Aquazzura Wild Things when it debuted in 2016

The Christy flats proved that Aquazzura could nail casual footwear, too. The strappy, pointy-toed ballet flats became an off-duty staple for influencers and celebrities, including Meghan Markle and Beyoncé.

The Christy Flats are a pair of casual but chic and comfy footwear that has become an off-duty staple for influencers and celebrities

Where to Shop Aquazzura Shoes Online Right Now

If you can, become a fabulous Aquazzura girl by shopping the label online or at a major luxury department store.

• Aquazzura Official Online Store
• Mytheresa
• Farfetch
• Saks Fifth Avenue
• Nordstrom

You can buy Aquazzura shoes on sale on Amazon and Saks OFF 5TH.

Born in Colombia and raised between Miami and London, Edgardo Osorio is the Founder and Creative Director of Aquazzura (Credit: Lia Toby / WENN)

As we wrap up our look at Aquazzura’s influence on today’s fashion landscape, it’s clear the brand sits alongside a broader world of luxury footwear designers who continue to shape red carpets, runways, and everyday style. For readers eager to discover more, the following shoe-brand highlights offer a deeper dive into the labels Aquazzura fans often love just as much.

More Luxury Shoe Brands Worth Exploring