IVAN TERESTCHENKO

Le furlane di Venezia known as venetian slippers. Born at the end of the second world war, these shoes were and are still produced in the countryside of the close Friuli Venezia Giulia region, using offset materials such as old bicycle tyre for the waterproof sole, jute sacks for the sole cushioning, fabrics and rags coming from old dresses, today it is velvet, for the shoe uppers. Home made at no costs, substitute of the longed for but too expensive leather shoes, they began to spread in Venice where, among others, were worn by the gondoliers because the rubber sole didn't ruin the gondola's varnish. Soon enough the furlane were adopted by the British visitors and became many a Lord's favorite slippers and can still be purchased in a charming little shop at the foot of the Rialto Bridge.