TANIA SPINELLI

Born to a Sicilian tailor and seamstress who imparted their love of beautiful materials and exquisite craftsmanship to their daughter, she then married into a family of third generation Italian cobblers. Her innate talent for design and appreciation of the technique of thoughtfully constructed fashions was nurtured, refined and honed since birth. The lessons learned at home have served her well in her chosen career.

After obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Fashion Design from Philadelphia University, she married Marcello Spinelli and moved to Sao Paolo, Brazil. She got her first taste of shoe design when she went to work for her father-in-law, Altemio Spinelli, a footwear veteran who successfully designed and manufactured shoes for over 45 years in the Italian tradition.  It was here that Tania discovered her passion for shoe design. The experience sparked Tania’s imagination and forever left an impression on her.

Upon her return to the States in 1998, Tania joined the ready-to-wear design team of Tommy Hilfiger. Tania spent six years with the company where she rose through the ranks to become design director of Hilfiger Collection.

In the end, the siren song of shoe design was too strong to resist. In February 2005, she followed her passion and launched her eponymous collection with rave reviews. The shoes reflect Tania’s impeccable taste and modern sensibility. Her use of exotic skins such as crocodile and stingray combined with interesting silhouettes and sophisticated color palettes make a strong statement of luxurious refinement. Tania makes use of the traditional excellence of Italian craftsmanship and the finest materials to execute designs that distinguish themselves with their polished finishes and elegant forms.