Italian footwear brand known for its experimental designs and innovative, handmade rubber-coated sneakers.
ORIGIN
Italy
PRICE TIER
luxury
SPECIALIZATION
UNISEX
Founded in Italy in 2011, RBRSL (formerly Rubber Soul) is a footwear company born from a desire to challenge consumer culture with durable, lasting design. The brand's identity is rooted in the innovative use of rubber, which is hand-applied and fused with leather uppers to create a distinctive, transparent shell. This artisanal process, combined with a philosophy of \"no age, no gender, no time, no space,\" results in hybrid footwear with a refined yet rebellious street-style approach. Art director and designer Valentina Curzi guides the brand's creative vision, which explores upcycling and sustainable materials.\n\nRBRSL's collections are an eclectic mix of classic forms and avant-garde innovation. Signature details include lug soles created from patented molds, double strings, and unique capsules, such as transparent soles filled with chamomile seeds and lavender. The brand is also known for silhouettes that transform, like a mid-top that converts to a low-top via a zipper. With a core palette of black and white, the collections often feature symbolic color additions, reflecting a conceptual and artistic direction. RBRSL has gained recognition through features in publications like Highsnobiety and pop-up stores in high-end department stores such as Rinascente in Milan.

An interview with founder Renato Curzi and creative director Valentina Curzi about the brand's relaunch from Rubbersoul to RBRSL, detailing the new single-product, genderless, and sustainable concept.
This piece reviews the FW21 and SS22 collections, noting the brand's mission to challenge consumer culture and its eclectic inspirations, such as the work of artist Edward Hopper for the FW21/22 collection.

A profile on RBRSL's brand mission to create lasting footwear that challenges consumer culture. It highlights the brand's upcycling philosophy and quotes Chief Creative Officer Valentina Curzi on her design approach.
This article highlights the AW23 collection, where Creative Director Valentina Curzi drew inspiration from natural rock formations, utilizing a new hydro-coating technique to create a geode-like effect on the shoes.
Focusing on the SS22 collection, this article explores how RBRSL blends natural forms with new colorways, including a unique capsule with chamomile seeds, flowers, and lavender embedded in the transparent soles.