UPCYCLING ON STAGE

At the Niccolini theater in Florence, during the 107th Pitti Uomo event, the UPCYCLING event came to life as a live performance. Artisans from the ELI GROUP, a Marche-based company specializing in footwear founded by Maurizio Croceri and Marco Marchi, demonstrated their craft across four non-stop stations. They showcased the process of creating limited edition sneakers live before an audience. The fashion inspiration for these sneakers comes from the Japanese technique of Boro Sashiko, which traditionally involves mending old worn kimonos. This event was a true celebration of the art of imperfection, enriched with references to the '70s and '80s. Founded in 2016 through a partnership with Liu Jo, Eli was born out of a desire to create a hub of innovation and creativity strongly linked to its Marche district of origin. In 2021, the company launched the Enterprise Japan sneaker brand, aiming to introduce a new vision within the streetwear scene. To further expand its investment in footwear production and experience, in 2022, Eli Factory was established as a vertical structure dedicated to luxury production for international brands, featuring a Made in Italy production chain.