Ascoli Piceno / Florence — May 2025 — To mark its 140th anniversary, Pantofola d’Oro presents at Pitti Uomo 108 an exclusive capsule collection born from collaboration with South African designer Thebe Magugu. The collection Thebe Magugu x Pantofola d’Oro not only celebrates Italian craftsmanship excellence and the brand’s history, but carries a powerful message of inclusion, social redemption and community.
Founded in Ascoli Piceno in 1886 as a craftsman’s workshop, Pantofola d’Oro is synonymous with high quality, attention to detail and deep connection to the world of football, worn by legends of the past such as Sivori, Rivera, Mazzola, Suarez, Altafini. With this project, the maison reinterprets its archives with a contemporary perspective, maintaining its firm roots in Made in Italy while opening up to an international and social vision.
The capsule Thebe Magugu x Pantofola d’Oro tells a story that goes beyond fashion: inspired by street football, or Street Soccer, now recognized as a sporting phenomenon with international championships and strong ethical values, the collection envisions a football uniform as a symbol of belonging, pride and hope for those who, often on the margins, find in sport a means of expression and redemption. For many, like Ronaldinho, Neymar or Jay-Jay Okocha, street football was the beginning of a journey that led them to international fame.
“Soccer is a unifying phenomena. South Africa is considered one of the most deeply divided countries, but football acts as a remedy. All types of people, from all classes, races, beliefs gather, celebrate or even grieve together – and this is true for the rest of the world too; from Italy to Japan. This is why I think soccer is essentially a cultural marker, and it continues to be a point of exploration for the Thebe Magugu brand. I am also thrilled to be doing so with the ultimate football partner Pantafola d’Oro, who are not only inseparable from the football industry, but have contributed to many aspects of it” – Thebe Magugu
The shoes and uniforms draw inspiration from the colors and geometries of African chitenge, the traditional Swahili fabric, the optical patterns of vinyl flooring and the warm hues of the savanna. This gives rise to elements like Brush Stroke, a brushstroke of tones ranging from blue to acid green, and Goal Keeper, which recalls Magugu’s spring-summer collection with large stylized flowers and golden and bronze flashes. The uniforms are modern, dynamic, capable of telling a new football aesthetic that merges with contemporary fashion. And instead of the classic jersey number, 1886 stands out, the year Pantofola d’Oro was born, to remember the origins of a brand that continues to innovate while staying true to its identity.
“Football has always been at the heart of Pantofola d’Oro’s 140-year journey. It’s more than a sport: it’s culture, identity, and connection. Thebe Magugu’s vision captures all of this with strength and authenticity, translating the spirit of the game into a new and deeply human language. We are proud to partner with him on a collection that brings together different worlds, styles and stories, and celebrates football’s power to inspire and include.”
– Kim Williams, CEO of Pantofola d’Oro
The collection Thebe Magugu x Pantofola d’Oro is distinguished by its bold and refined style and will be presented with a special event on June 17 in the setting of Fortezza da Basso during Pitti Uomo 108, to celebrate not only the maison’s anniversary, but also an idea of fashion that does not forget its social potential.