Pip Larner and Liz Upton. Image supplied.
Scarpa has a rich legacy in New Zealand for delivering premium quality footwear, with each season’s handpicked selection carefully curated for the modern woman.
Founded in 1978, the family business became second generation with sisters Liz Upton and Pip Larner at the helm, continuing that original focus around impeccably tasteful international footwear.
The fashion-forward duo also expanded into bags and accessories from labels, including Rag & Bone, Stuart Weitzman, Stella McCartney, and See by Chloe.
Ushering in a new era, however, is the release of Scarpa’s own collection, designed and developed by Liz and Pip. In keeping with a commitment to supporting other family businesses, the inaugural winter capsule collection is produced entirely by a family-owned factory in Tuscany.
Designed to be an array of hero pieces for any wardrobe, the 15 styles are inspired by Liz and Pip’s unique sisterhood, family, and all of the powerful women in their lives.
“It’s a capsule collection of all the key styles a modern woman needs in her forever shoe wardrobe,” says Liz.
FashioNZ caught up with the highly driven pair for some additional insights into their newest focus and what continues to drive their passion for the industry.
What is an overview of your background in the fashion/design industry?
LIZ: I’ve been a buyer of fashion footwear at our established Scarpa company for 20 years. We’ve sourced and introduced some incredible designer labels to New Zealand that we’ve been fortunate enough to collaborate on designs with and this has given us a strong fashion sense of what looks are relevant as well as forever pieces.
Scarpa is a New Zealand generational family business so we grew up with knowledge of beautifully designed footwear, made by the best shoemakers in Italy. We have made many wonderful connections in the industry so it was a natural progression to design our own label. In this market of mass production in the fashion industry, we were told “no one cares’ where shoes are made” but we strongly believe many do. So we kept our integrity and our designs are produced in Italy, Tuscany to be exact. Gorgeous place.
PIP: We have been in the fashion/New Zealand retail industry for what feels like our whole lives. Working in the stores since when we were early teens, after university, and then when we got back from travelling – working and living in the UK.
I worked in various other jobs selling advertising and marketing but thought – why not work in something I’m passionate about and know about with my family?
We both fit test and wear the samples we’ve created. One has a slim foot, the other wider, so between us we find the perfect fit.
We consistently work on the floor in our boutiques alongside our team and have gained the knowledge of fit, style, and innate learned what customers want.
What prompted you to start your own brand/collection?
LIZ: We have always wanted to create our own brand to complement our gorgeous brands at Scarpa. We wanted to design a capsule collection with the modern New Zealand women in mind who wants to be on trend yet have timeless designer styles that they continue to reach for in their footwear wardrobes.
The pandemic has given us the time to reflect and the courage to make it happen.
PIP: We have always wanted to, but wanted to do it right.
What were some of the challenges of developing your own collection?
LIZ: As mentioned above, the industry was favouring mass production with the price-sensitive market, so we had the challenge to create beautiful designs, good value, yet still made in Italy. Creating trust at Scarpa with our product is at the heart of what we do and how we’ve built a New Zealand-owned company that continues to thrive for 30 years. So we persevered, worked hard, and believe we’ve achieved a gorgeous collection that encompasses fashion, every day wearability, and good value.
PIP: Everyone told us we couldn’t do a commercial price point out of Italy. We didn’t want to compromise on quality, fit, and sustainability and we wanted to work with another family business whose values were similar to our own.
Why is New Zealand design important and why are you passionate about being part of this industry?
LIZ: We have been part of the New Zealand fashion footwear industry for decades, proudly tailoring what we select of our international designs to meet the unique lifestyle we have in our gorgeous country.
With this experience, we thought the time was right to create a capsule collection here in New Zealand using our designs and know-how.
PIP: We are proud to be part of the New Zealand fashion industry. We have some of the best designers in the world – from the OGs when we started, such as World, Karen Walker, and Kate Sylvester to some incredible new designers such as Caitlin Crisp. We have done many collaborations with our Italian and French designers and with Scarpa the label, we are keen to explore this with New Zealand designers too.
What sets your brand apart/are key priorities for your own collection?
LIZ: Our long-term experience as retailers and shoe experts (if you will) sets our brand apart, as we know what fits and flatters women in designer footwear.
We preview designer collections almost a year before they hit the market, which gives us a real advantage when it comes to knowing fashion trends ahead of time and what looks stand the test of time.
A key priority is to have well-made, beautifully fitting footwear within a capsule collection that are the building blocks of a women’s footwear wardrobe.
PIP: Scarpa the label is designed by us, New Zealand women, sisters, colleagues, and friends. We listen to our customers and their needs while not compromising on quality, fit, or sustainability and ensuring each style becomes a forever piece. Also, years of working in stores alongside our teams, seeing incredible designer shoes and handbags from around the world and getting customer feedback regarding style and fit has been invaluable.
What are you most proud of in terms of your debut Scarpa The Label collection?
LIZ: We are proud to say Scarpa is made entirely by hand to order, ensuring minimal waste and all leathers and componentry are sustainably sourced.
We have been working closely on this collection for the past year and wanted to include the ‘must have’ items for winter 2023. From everyday Chelsea and combat boots, classic loafers, to timeless pumps. We know from experience that these are everyday hero pieces that all stylish women need in their wardrobes.
PIP: See above! Scarpa is the Italian word for shoe, and we felt it was important our debut collection was made in Italy.
Describe your personal style/passions and how that influences your designs
LIZ: My personal style changes depending on many things. I’m a busy mum of two boys and running our business; regardless, I always want to look polished. If my day is at the office working on designing and buying, I would choose comfort and style – jeans, tee, and blazer with my fav loafers, or if I’m in stores styling my customers, I would wear a floaty dress and boots then swap out for heels for a night out with the girls. I’m inspired by European design, street style we see on our travels to Milan, Paris, and New York, and how we can translate the key looks yet make them wearable for the New Zealand market. The Scarpa customer does not want to compromise comfort for style, and with our experience in the industry, we offer them well-made, fashion-forward designer footwear that are forever pieces.
PIP: My personal style is classic with a sporty twist. Many of us are Mums, working full-time, and we need styles that provide fashion as well as function. And have fun with it. My sister and besties inspire me – as well as my parents who started the business many years ago. They’ve always loved fashion and are super stylish.
What inspires you in 2023?
LIZ: We’ve had a roller coaster couple of years that’s built resilience so I really enjoy bringing some fun as well as function to our designs ( see our metallic pink pops of colour in our collection).
What is the most unexpected thing about this industry?
PIP: The fashion industry is so friendly, inclusive, and supportive of each other. I love that. Paula who owns The Luxe Edit worked with us by doing a showcase at our launch. It’s essential to show how shoes and clothing can be worn together – it was a lot of fun.
What is one of your all-time favourite purchases?
LIZ: Stuart Weitzman over-the-knee ‘Tieland’ black suede boots. Pairs so with feminine dresses, anchored with a beautifully made coat or jacket. I’ve worn these so much.
PIP: At the moment, I am living in my Scarpa ‘Allegra’ boots – a style I got to fit the test and ended up wearing all over Paris. They’ve been on high rotation lately. A beautiful silhouette of flared heel and the new square toe.
What wardrobe piece should everyone invest in?
PIP: A great pair of boots and a great pair of loafers – timeless!
Campaign Images by Holly Burgess