When Bruno Magli first opened its doors in Bologna in 1936, the world of women’s footwear was undergoing a quiet revolution. The Magli siblings—Bruno, Marino, and Maria—sensed that the modern woman needed shoes that married structure with sensuality. Their answer: the pump, the stiletto, and the pointed toe—silhouettes that would come to define mid-century glamour. Now, as the brand celebrates its 90th anniversary, it is looking to the future with a multi-season collaboration with New York designer Cynthia Rowley. The partnership, which debuts with a holiday 2026 capsule, reimagines the iconic Prima pump with delicate lace detailing—a nod to the intricate embellishments that have long been the domain of fine lingerie and boudoir fashion. Rowley, who received the 2025 CFDA Eleanor Lambert Founders Award, brings a playful, sporty edge to the Italian house’s romantic heritage. “This match is a winning combination,” she says. The collaboration expands into spring 2027 with footwear, accessories, and small leather goods, available across both brands’ e-commerce sites and Rowley’s stores. For Marquee Brands, which acquired Bruno Magli in 2015, this is a strategic recalibration. With men’s footwear currently accounting for 60 percent of sales, the brand is doubling down on its female customer—the very woman the Maglis courted in the 1950s with their revolutionary pumps. The collection will also launch in Dubai and Italy, as part of a broader push into international markets. As Natasha Fishman, chief marketing officer of Marquee, notes, “It’s about honoring where the brand comes from while putting it firmly into today’s style conversation.” In an era where lace and leather are once again colliding on runways and in wardrobes, this partnership feels less like a marketing move and more like a homecoming.
Originally reported by WWD