“The luxury industry is at a pivotal moment where the choices we make today will shape the legacy we leave behind. At LUKURË, we’ve always believed that true luxury is not just about aesthetics but about making a positive impact,” reflects Arianit Bërdufi, Founder and CEO of luxury footwear and accessories brand LUKURË. Amidst the bustling streets of New York’s Upper East Side, a stone’s throw from the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art, LUKURË’s Madison Avenue boutique stands in timeless elegance and conscientious luxury. Founded in 2012, LUKURË has been redefining luxury, merging contemporary style with age-old Italian craftsmanship.
Conscientious Luxury: A Trend or a Necessity?
The current market has witnessed a shift in the luxury fashion industry. The modern consumer, informed and discerning, seeks more than just a brand name. They yearn for a story, a purpose, and, most importantly, a commitment to sustainability. LUKURË, with its vision of high quality and less waste, stands at the forefront of this movement.
Bërdufi shares, “Our brand was conceived with a clear vision – to offer products that are not just beautiful but also ethically crafted. Our choice of kangaroo leather and deerskin, both byproducts of overpopulation control and never farmed for fashion, shows this commitment.”
Beyond the Buzzword
For LUKURË, sustainability is a core philosophy. From sourcing leathers from overpopulated wild animals to partnering with eco-friendly tanneries producing metal-free leather, every decision is rooted in a commitment to the environment.
The brand employs specific practices that set it apart. For one, the leathers, such as kangaroo and deer, are sourced from overpopulated wild regions, ensuring no animals are harmed for fashion. This approach provides a second life to what would be considered ‘waste’ and ensures ethical sourcing.
Furthermore, LUKURË’s collaboration with eco-conscious tannery partners ensures the production of metal-free leather, significantly reducing metal contamination in water and soil. This commitment to environmental responsibility proves LUKURË’s dedication to conscientious luxury.
“Our philosophy is simple: buy high quality, be less wasteful,” Bërdufi notes. “Amidst fast fashion, we want to remind our customers of the value of investing in timeless pieces.”
An Ode to Italian Craftsmanship
Italy, with its rich history of leather craftsmanship, has been the bedrock of LUKURË’s product line. Every pair of shoes, be it the best-selling Soft Loafers or the elegant and lightweight Army Boots, is handcrafted by artisans in family-owned workshops in Italy.
“Every stitch, every layer of polish, tells a story dedication, passion, and commitment to excellence,” says Bërdufi. This meticulous attention to detail is evident in LUKURË’s products, from the hand-stitched shoes to the hand-painted accessories using the anticatura technique.
Aspirations for Elegance and Positivity in Luxury Fashion
With a growing loyal clientele of thousands and a 5-star rating on Google reviews, LUKURË rises to greater heights. A quiet luxury brand at a first glance, but LUKURЁ is an energetic brand with aspirations to bring elegance and positivity to a wider audience.
Recent collaboration with a Korean fashion label during the New York Fashion Week (NYFW) that came through an introduction by Elton Ilirjani, a global fashion icon and philanthropist, highlights LUKURЁ’s contemporariness embracing the edgy and cool. Subsequently, during the United Nations General Assembly week, LUKURЁ sponsored shoes for the Global Runway hosted by Fashion4Development (F4D), which was attended by First Ladies, UN Ambassadors and VIPs from around the world.
LUKURЁ is passionate about staying true to its philosophy of being intentional, which will only further solidify its position in the luxury fashion industry.
