Saying no to fast fashion isn’t just an ethical choice: it’s a matter of style. GuidoMaggi stands as a conscious alternative to throwaway fashion, thanks to elevator shoes, handcrafted in Italy using natural, durable materials. In a world where fast production leads to waste and pollution, our vision is a luxury that’s made to last: shoes designed to endure for decades, and repairable by the same artisans who created them. It’s a slow fashion approach that blends elegance, sustainability, and authentic quality.
Fashion moves fast, too fast, and often in the wrong direction. Fast fashion isn’t just a trend; it’s a cultural short circuit. It’s normalized the idea that clothing, and shoes in particular, are meant to be consumed quickly and discarded, without a second thought. This has given rise to a system that generates waste, pollutes, and devalues what we wear.
Behind those bargain prices lie lightning-fast production cycles based on a handful of flash styles, thrown together with cheap materials and sloppy techniques. The industry produces too much, too quickly, often without knowing if those items will even sell. Everything is sacrificed at the altar of speed and short-term profit. And the planet pays the price: today, we throw away over 800% more clothing than we did in 1960. Overflowing landfills, wasted resources, exploited labor, and a devastating environmental impact in terms of water use, energy, and harmful chemicals, all for a trend that doesn’t even last a season.
The solution? A return to GuidoMaggi’s slow fashion
The Slow Fashion movement was born in response to this toxic system: a more ethical, mindful, and human-centered approach. Coined in 2007 by Kate Fletcher, it champions thoughtful purchases, high-quality materials, respect for craftsmanship, and environmental care. It’s a kind of fashion that takes its time, and does it well.
GuidoMaggi has always embodied this philosophy. Our elevator shoes don’t follow the frantic pace of the industry, but rather the measured rhythm of excellence. Each pair is handcrafted in Italy only after being ordered, using exclusively natural and fine materials. We create footwear designed to last a lifetime, not to end up in a landfill within months.
For us, saying no to fast fashion isn’t a marketing strategy. it’s a statement of style and responsibility. It means believing in a kind of luxury that respects both the wearer and the maker.
At GuidoMaggi, “made to last” isn’t an option, it’s a duty
“It’s time for companies to take responsibility for the pollution caused by the short lifespan of their products, without shifting the burden onto consumers” says Emanuele Briganti, CEO of GuidoMaggi. “Our brand has always taken a different path. Long before anyone talked about the environmental impact of fast fashion, GuidoMaggi was already producing shoes built to last decades, and offering a repair service to extend their life even further. Today, we remain committed to the same philosophy, and we’re glad to see consumers becoming more aware, helping us highlight the quality and sustainability of our shoes”.
GuidoMaggi is a voice for a new idea of sustainable luxury: made to last. It’s not just a slogan, it’s a real promise of quality, craftsmanship, and long-term resilience. We made that message loud and clear at Milan Fashion Week, where Briganti emphasized “the importance of conscious consumption and a fashion industry that values quality over quantity”.
Read also: Made to last elevator shoes at Milan Fashion Week: GuidoMaggi’s answer to fast fashion
How Long Do Shoes Really Last?
On average, a regular pair of shoes lasts between 6 months and two years, depending on usage. And we’re not just talking about cheap sneakers: even branded models that look sturdy often fall apart after a while. Why? Because they’re made to end, not to last. No attention to materials, no care in the construction.
With GuidoMaggi, it’s a whole different story
Our elevator shoes are made to last for decades. Material selection is rigorous, borderline obsessive and so is the craftsmanship. The result? Shoes that stand the test of time without losing their shape, comfort, or elegance.
But there’s more. Our real strength lies in our ability to regenerate them. At GuidoMaggi, repairing is an art form. The same artisans who gave life to your shoes are the ones who will restore them, even after years or decades. They know exactly where to work, they understand every stitch and every detail, and they do it with the same precision as the very first time.
This is our idea of luxury: a product without an expiration date, built to stay with you over time. No fleeting trends, no planned obsolescence. Just timeless style, lasting quality, and enduring identity.
What are the longest-lasting shoes?
The most durable shoes are made from natural, high-quality materials like full-grain leather and vegetable-tanned hides. What truly makes a difference, though, is the craftsmanship. It takes an expert hand, an artisan’s touch, and careful, solid construction. Durable shoes aren’t mass-produce, hey’re meticulously built. They do exist, but you have to know how to recognize them.
GuidoMaggi raises the bar
Our men’s elevator shoes don’t just offer comfort and added height: they’re built to be your long-term companions. Each model results from a strict material selection: 100% Italian leather and vegetable-tanned hides from Tuscany, free of harmful chemicals, paired with natural rubber soles and height-increasing systems engineered to last. No compromises, no throwaway gimmicks.
This is how we say no to fast fashion with conviction. GuidoMaggi is the conscious alternative to mass-produced, anonymous Chinese manufacturing. Our shoes aren’t impulsive buys, they’re long-term investments in style, quality, and environmental respect. That’s the essence of our made to last: artisanal luxury that doesn’t wear out.
