Design studio and advisory Los Angeles

Footwear and
handbag design
and development.

Down to the leather, the materials and the print.

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Andrea De Vitis, Creative Director, has worked with

Prada, Gucci, Celine, Brioni

Ballante’s clients have included

Banana Republic, Rebecca Minkoff,
CHUCKiES New York, Giada

Services

Design and development

Women’s and men’s shoes and bags, from concept and technical design to last development and handbag construction, sampled between Los Angeles and Italy.

Open-toe knee boot in espresso leather on a stiletto heel, with shearling trim spiralling from the shaft into the strapsClose-up of where the boot opens into a sandal: open toe straps, cut-outs and shearling trim running down to the sole
Open-toe knee boot, designed and engineered by Ballante.

Leather development

Exclusive leathers developed for footwear and handbags, and leather sourced at every price point.

Black leather tote bag for Banana RepublicInside the Banana Republic tote: the leather is PU-backed, so it needs no lining.
Leather developed exclusively for Banana Republic, backed so the bag needs no lining, a saving on every bag.

Material development

New materials and techniques, from knits and needlepoint to laser work and patchwork, developed as part of the design.

Block-heel sandal with a strap in paper and wool knitClose-up of the paper and wool knit
Paper and wool knit sandal. Material research and direction by Ballante, with technology by Dyloan Studio, shown at Pitti Filati.

Print design

Original prints for shoes and bags, embroidered or digitally printed onto leather and other materials.

Strappy sandal with petals embroidered in a printClose-up of the print embroidered onto the petals
Sandal with Andrea’s print embroidered onto the petals.
Print by Andrea De Vitis, Creative Director.

“The dynamic swirl of Alexander Calder’s mobiles or the bold strokes of Yves Klein.”

Suzy Menkes, International Herald Tribune, on the prints of Andrea De Vitis

Studio

Ballante is an independent design, development and advisory studio for footwear, handbags and leather goods, founded in Los Angeles in 2017 by husband and wife Andrea and Stacey De Vitis.

It was started to bring Italian know-how to American brands, without the distance, language or culture gap.

Line drawing of a backpack that converts into a duffel bag
  1. 01Nostro accessorioOur signature hardware
  2. 02Manici per utilizzo borsoneHandles for duffel use
  3. 03Parete sollevabile, zip sottomessaLift-up panel, hidden zip
Duffel backpack concept.

Ballante samples each collection where it serves the brand best. In Italy, its network of artisans makes a luxury reference for a factory anywhere to match; in Los Angeles, the brand can stay hands-on, and a 3D-printed heel or buckle can be approved in days.

The studio works with fashion brands adding footwear or bags for the first time, designer-led labels that need technical execution, and brands whose accessories need a new direction.

A shoe last with style lines and Italian notes drawn on by hand in pencil.
  1. 01Crosta DXSplit leather, right
  2. 02T. vivo, no cuc.Raw cut edge, no stitching
  3. 03Maglia, crostaKnit, split leather
Style lines drawn by hand on the last, the starting point for the pattern.

Andrea De Vitis

Creative Director

Born in Italy, Andrea spent five years working on fabric prints for Prada before going independent. He sets the vision for every collection and develops the leathers, materials and prints behind it. He has also advised brands and private equity firms on repositioning, new markets and due diligence.

Stacey De Vitis

Studio Director

American-born, Stacey designed footwear alongside Paul Andrew. At Ballante, she designs every collection with Andrea, bringing an instinct for the American customer. She leads every client relationship, turning a brand’s vision into a clear brief and keeping samples on schedule.

Advisory, led by Andrea De Vitis

For brands and the investors behind them.

“I’ve never met a designer with such great vision of the business.”

Massimiliano Morpurgo, Senior Partner, Arventia
  • Repositioning
  • Brand extensions
  • Cost and efficiency
  • New markets in Europe and the US
  • Interim management and due diligence

Starts with a short introductory call, then by the hour or by project. Ask about advisory

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