Ylati footwear is the product of three generations of Italian craftsmanship
Ylati footwear is the combination of passion between two friends with over ten years experience in the footwear industry dating back to 1948. Ylati footwear is redefining modern Italian leather footwear and is an explosion of Italian quality and cutting edge trends. The brand appeals to those who enjoy the attention to finer details and to those who cherish a sense of adventure. We’re calling it here – expect to see Ylati footwear everywhere.
We sat down with Founder Luca Martino to get more details about the brand. Enjoy!
When did you start your career?
Before the launch of Ylati in 2012, I already had experience in the sneaker business. The launch of Ylati was rendered possible thanks to a group of extraordinary craftsmen with over 50 years of experience in the world of footwear.
Tell us the story of Ylati? How was the idea born and what are your goals with the brand?
Ylati was founded in 2012 by the desire, almost a need, to launch a sneaker that combines the long tradition of Italian footwear, the use of the highest quality Italian leathers and the concept of an avant-garde sneaker.
Our goal is to offer high-quality sneakers to the customers that are specialized and more attentive to the product details rather than the brand followers on Instagram.
Where do you produce your product?
From our laces to our soles, Ylati footwear is produced 100% in Campania, Italy.
What is your best seller?
Our best sellers are the Zeus, Poseidon and Ulysses models.
What does luxury mean to you?
Personally, luxury is the freedom to have the opportunity to do what you want, when you want. For Ylati, luxury is the opportunity to create limited batches, and phenomenal products with unique materials at a fair price!
Who is your inspiration and why?
Ylati read backwards becomes ITALY. Italy, for us means tradition, skill and passion. We are influenced by people and cultures during our travels.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received regarding the fashion industry?
Never give up to early failures because without them, success doesn’t exist.
What are your favorite places to travel in Italy?
Perugia is my favorite place to travel for leisure and Milan is absolutely the best for business.
What are your favorite places to eat in Naples?
Cape Blue is a delicious bistro near the Phlegrean Fields where we were born. Incredible eats!
What is your favorite Italian brand that inspired you?
Lately, we’ve been very inspired by Italian outerwear brand, Stone Island. They are very experimental and quite modern.
Do any celebrities wear Ylati?
One of the celebrities that mostly wears our brand is Los Angeles hip hop recording artist Makonnen Sheran, aka, I LOVE Makkonen. We draw tremendous inspiration from him and his style. He’s best known for his single titled “Tuesday” which rapper Drake remixed.
Shop Ylati Footwear on Italist for men and women.
About the Author
Alex English is the Head of Content Marketing at italist.com, building on a lifelong passion for fashion and luxury. After publishing a lifestyle blog for nearly ten years and obtaining an MBA in Milan at SDA Bocconi, one of Europe’s top business schools, he joined the italist team in 2019. His work since then has focused on upper-funnel messaging, brand storytelling, establishing italist as a thought leader in the space, and enriching the customer experience on the platform. Find him on LinkedIn.