Made-in-Canada winter footwear brand Anfibio has launched its latest collection, including a flurry of winter-ready options. From platform thermo-rubber outsoles to shearling-lined moon boots or chunky lace-up fashionable hiker boots in leather and suede, these new arrivals will bring fresh and playful colours, block heels with decorative details to your winter boot lineup. Fun fact: in the 1980s, Anfibio became the first-ever shoe manufacturer in Canada to introduce a waterproof leather boot! We chatted with company president Pina Passarelli to learn more. —Vita Daily
Hi Pina! Please tell us a bit about yourself to start.
I started working for my family shoe company very early on. My childhood was spent at the shoe factory shadowing my dad and inhaling leather. However, I’ve actively been at the company for 30 years. From the very beginning, I was so into work, doing everything I could: running the business alongside my father, dealing with customers. I just got involved from the start. I remember moments in life by the boots I had on. Like the first time I was working with my dad, I was wearing a pair of handmade shearling lined winter boots made exclusively for me by my dad!
When and why was Anfibio launched (tell us about your dad!)? What niche was/is the brand aiming to fill today compared to when it launched?
Founded in 1968, the company was launched under a different name, De Luca Shoes, where we were only producing men’s shoes at the time, specifically handmade moccasins. However, in the 1980s, we rebranded and shifted the focus to the outdoor category where we became Anfibio Boots Co., exclusively producing high-quality, genuine full grain leather and waterproof winter boots for both men and women. At that time, we were the first shoe manufacturer to introduce a certified waterproof leather boot in Canada. We were excited by the idea of creating a brand that could be something special, unique and uncompromised. We’ve come a long way in 50-plus years, however we’re still running our business like a traditional, old-world family business. Our company was founded in 1968 and after having immigrated to Canada from Italy my father joined the original company in 1972. Then along with partners, he fully acquired the business in the early 90’s. He has two lovely daughters (one being me). Back in Italy, my father began cobbling shoes at the age of nine and throughout his young life would peddle them in open-air markets in towns throughout central Italy, so after so many years in the shoe business, you could just imagine how much knowledge and skills he acquired over the years and was able to pass onto his two daughters. Unfortunately, my father passed away in late 2016, but we’ve kept many of his tools, modified shoe lasts, desk etc … as a reminder, so we don’t forget our roots. Our operation includes 35 craftspeople and artisans and everything we do is produced from A to Z in our plant in Canada.
What products does Anfibio currently offer, and what makes this footwear unique?
We specialize in boot making including winter and fall boots for both women and men. We recently extended our product offering to other leather goods including bags and small accessories. This is part of our efforts to reduce waste and being more eco-conscious. We use leather recuts from the boot production to limit waste and optimize our processes. We are one of the last made-in-Canada boot brands who still implements a 360 local production. De Luca, is a family-owned business and the first one to introduce waterproof leather winter boots in Canada. We also specialize in wide fits and extended sizes. Our signature is translated through our use of premium materials, Canadian manufacturing and clean design. Anfibio was the first boot brand to introduce waterproof leather and lace-up/inner zipper in Canada 30 years ago. We consider this as being part of our signature details. Deliberate aesthetic elements are integrated into our footwear and accessories which have all become emblematic to our styles: decorative stitch details, and unique outsole designs.
Tell us about the styles included in your latest collection! What was the inspiration behind the range
The idea was to do something creative with our styles that had a life before. For new items, we wanted to draw inspiration from motifs of the past such as patterns, decorative stitching, materials and colour palettes. It was about re-imagining things. Considering the challenges of the current environment, we decided to get creative with less, however still hoping to showcase the strength of local manufacturing with an Italian touch.
As we approach winter weather, what do you, as an expert, suggest we look for in a functional-yet-fashionable boot?
Materials matter. The main, “upper” material (basically the part that covers the top of your foot) needs to be both strong and waterproof to stand up against our harsh Canadian winter weather. Insulation is key and that’s why all of our winter boots are lined in natural wool or in genuine shearling. Additionally, closures should be functional, such as inner zippers and laces. Treaded rubber outsoles that are much deeper and harder, give you the ability to grip in snow. Fashion is personal, however when creating our boot designs, our focus is to ensure that they’ll get you through snowy days and still look aesthetically pleasing when the snow melts.
So, what pair of Anfibio boots will you be rocking on repeat this winter, and how will you be styling them?!
I’ll be wearing Karina boots, usually with wide cropped black pants and a off-white crew neck wool sweater!
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