Italian heritage brand known for its playful 90s streetwear and iconic platform sneakers.
ORIGIN
Italy
PRICE TIER
contemporary
Founded in 1947 in Civitanova Marche, Italy, Fornarina began with a focus on quality footwear craftsmanship. While it saw early success, the brand became a cultural phenomenon in the 1990s under the direction of the founder's sons, Lino and Giuseppe Fornari. They transformed Fornarina into a streetwear powerhouse, capturing the vibrant, youthful energy of the decade. Its most defining product was the 'Up!', a disruptive platform sneaker launched in 1992 that was one of the first designed exclusively for women, predating the modern chunky sneaker trend. The brand's identity was built on a playful and audacious spirit, expanding into colorful apparel and low-rise denim that became staples for young women in Europe.