In the heart of Friuli Venezia Giulia, nestled in the rugged beauty of the Val Cellina, a family tradition has been passed down for generations. This is the story of the Parutto family and their handmade shoes—what we now know as Le Papù.
Humble Beginnings in the Mountains
At the start of the 20th century, in the small village of Claut, Friuli, women would sew traditional Scarpéts using recycled materials. The soles were made from old bicycle tires, stitched together with fabric scraps to add thickness, while the uppers were crafted from leftover velvet. These shoes, entirely hand-stitched, were originally worn for special occasions.
Maria and Giuseppe Parutto, merchants trading wooden goods between Friuli and Venice, saw an opportunity. In the bustling markets of the Rialto Bridge, they introduced these handmade shoes to Venetian gondoliers. The rubber soles provided a perfect grip on the wooden gondolas, making them an instant favorite. The Venetians soon gave them a new name—Papusse—and from that moment, they became part of the city’s identity.
Growing Beyond Tradition
As the demand for Papusse grew, so did the need for a structured production process. The next generation, led by Carlo Parutto, expanded the reach of these unique shoes. He ensured they were crafted by skilled Friulian artisans and sold them to an ever-wider audience. It was Carlo who famously said: “They don’t travel the world; the world moves around them.”
For years, Papusse came in only a few colors, with their signature white-bordered soles. But in 1998, Riccardo Parutto and his wife Roberta decided to take things a step further. Working from a small workshop in Claut, they introduced new color variations, matching the soles to the uppers, and expanding the collection to suit a wider audience.
The Birth of FriVen and Le Papù
By 2018, Riccardo, Roberta, and their children—Christian, Elisa, and David—established FriVen, a name that combines Friuli and Venezia, the two regions that shaped this story. With a new headquarters in Mogliano Veneto, they ensured greater control over production while staying true to their roots.
This new chapter gave birth to Le Papù, a brand that celebrates both tradition and modernity. Even the logo tells a story: a stylized Scarpét shape flanked by three feathers, symbolizing the three siblings and the Friulian eagle, with an overall design reminiscent of the rostro, the distinctive iron ornament on Venetian gondolas.
Handmade Excellence That Stands Apart
What sets Le Papù apart from mass-produced imitations is their authenticity. Every pair is handmade, without glue, using only hand-stitched recycled bicycle tire soles.
“We care deeply about quality, craftsmanship, and keeping things truly Made in Italy. Maybe we’re a little obsessive about it, but that’s what makes our shoes special.” – The Parutto Family
From the mountains of Friuli to the canals of Venice and beyond, Le Papù is more than just footwear—it’s a piece of Italian heritage that continues to evolve, while staying true to its origins.
