Footwear is one of the most important productive specialisations of the Veneto Region. The Riviera del Brenta, which extends over an area between the provinces of Venice and Padua which includes the municipalities of Stra, Fiesso d’Artico, Fossò and Vigonovo for the first and Vigonza, Noventa Padovana and Saonara for the second, excels in this sector.
The cluster of the Riviera del Brenta, which had its full development in the late 19th century, is characterised by the production of luxury footwear - for both men and women- in addition to the design, manufacture and marketing of almost all the “designer label” footwear available on the world market (from Emporio Armani to Fendi, Gucci, Chanel, Christian Dior and Prada, to name but a few).

In 2008 the cluster of the Riviera Brenta had 725 companies , that was 9.7% of the national total and 65.5% of the Veneto Region.
The companies of the province of Venice are 498 - equal to 68.8% of the total of the area - divided between

1. 112  footwear factories
2. 302 manufacturers of footwear components
3. 50 designers
4. 34 commercial firms.

With over 12,000 employees (7,836 of these are employed in companies in the Venice area) the sector represents 57.1% of the workers of this field in the Veneto Region, and 13.9% in Italy.

In 2008 the footwear sector of the Riviera del Brenta produced over 21.8 million pairs of shoes (45.15% of these were produced in the province of Venice), equal to 28.9% of Venetian production and 9.7% of Italian production, for an overall sales value of 1,930.76 million Euro (52.7% of the sales of the entire footwear sector in the Veneto Region, and 15.67% of the national one).
In addition to leather footwear production, mainly luxury and female footwear, the sector is characterised by companies producing footwear accessories and components: soles, heels, uppers, etc. which complete the cycle of the productive sector. There are also companies producing footwear for men and children.
Also 90% of the overall sales of the area is destined for export, demonstrating the strong inclination of the area to international marketing of its own products.
In 2008, the provincial exports of footwear showed a decrease of 13.7% compared with 2007, recording an overall amount of almost 323 million Euro, and representing the most important sector of Venice exports.
The footwear system of the Riviera del Brenta is represented, in addition to the companies operating there, by:

1. A.C.Ri.B. - Footwear Association of the Riviera del Brenta, which is a member of Confindustria. Established in December 1961, it represents the footwear companies of the area.
2. A.C.Ri.B. Servizi srl - Company that offers specialist services in favour of the footwear sector.
3. Consorzio Maestri Calzaturieri del Brenta, which was set up in 1976 to promote the footwear sector worldwide. The logo, depicting the ancient seal of the Venetian Confraternity of the Calegheri, dating back to the 13th century and which is used by the associated footwear companies is well-known: on 31st December 2008, some 82 companies were members of the Consortium, 54 belonging to the province of Venice.
4. School of Footwear Designers of the Riviera del Brenta, today Politecnico Calzaturiero  – The school, set up in 1923, offers courses for designers, product technicians, CAD operators, computer graphics, I.T. and other.
5. Consorzio Italiano Formifici- Set up in 1996, the Consortium proposes to develop studies of technological innovation and/or to accomplish projects of technological innovation on the “shapes” of shoes.

In 2003, on the basis of Regional Law no. 8 “Regulations governing the Clusters and local industrial policy interventions” and subsequent amendments, the Regional Council of Veneto recognised the Agreement for the development of the Distretto della calzatura della Riviera del Brenta/Footwear Cluster in the Riviera del Brenta which fosters tradition, culture and the specific qualities of the sector, representing an essential benchmark for the world market.
The planning skill identified for the implementation of the Agreement of the Footwear Cluster highlights the quality and specialisation of the sector: for this purpose we also recall the plans for the “Creation of an Observatory and a Portal of the Cluster“ which have also been supported by the Venice Chamber of Commerce.

The launch of strong innovative projects and their impact such as the following are also remembered:

1. “SA 8000” certification (project supported by the Venice Chamber of commerce) which guarantees that production processes do not exploit underage employment and the fulfilment of ethical principles of social responsibility:
2. the opening of the New York and Beijing showrooms, in association with the Istituto per il Commercio Estero as well as participation in exhibitions worldwide.

Finally, the particular attention and sensitivity, which has always been reserved for the historical revival of the footwear tradition and knowledge, which associates culture with the activity of animation on the territory is highlighted. As an example we can recall:

1. the exhibition entitled  “The fashion trades in Venice – from 13th to 18th century”     (“I mestieri della moda a Venezia – dal 13° al 18° secolo”) – mounted successfully in Venice, Berlin, New York, London, Beijing and St. Petersburg.  This iconographic exhibition showed original items such as clothes, fashion accessories, paintings, documents and tools. They were typical for the over 50 handicrafts existing in Venice at the time of the “Serenissima Repubblica”, and are still the testimony of the cultural background, the quality and the style featuring today’s production;
2. the “Venetian Reflections” (“Riflessi Veneziani”) show, staged in Berlin, New York, London, Warsaw, Beijing and Moscow. In a historical and cultural setting this show represents the fashion and footwear system of the Riviera del Brenta and Italy;
3. “Golden Shoe” (“Scarpetta d’Oro”), the International Prize of Illustration for Children. This is an annual event that began in 1995 which, through the collaboration between illustrators and children, highlights the role of illustration as a two-directional communication tool and at the same time makes the history and real life of footwear production which characterises the Riviera del Brenta known and loved above all by younger generations;
4. the “Small steps” collection (collezione “Piccoli Passi”) by Pietro Martello – presented successfully in many European and non-European countries - includes over 1000 unique pieces of footwear varying in size - from 4 cm to 10 cm in length – shape, history and culture.