The First Lady of Sole

Several years ago, in her spare time, Olga Berluti made a cow — a beautiful life-sized bovine effigy entirely crafted in the exquisitely finished leather for which her family firm is famous. Then she added a finishing flourish of sequins and swatches cut from a favorite haute couture dress. She named the irresistible beast Torella, after her grandfather Torello Berluti, who had brought her into his custom-made shoe business when she was a teenager just out of convent school. Possibly it was the convent school that inspired Mlle.

Berluti's impish notion...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!