What happens when your favorite pair of loafers can’t be resoled anymore? Well, if you’re filmmaker William De Sena, you create your own pair from the scratch.
“What started out has a project to make my own pair of loafers here in New York, turned into an incredible journey to Italy to bring these shoes to life,” De Sena told FN in an interview.
And after three years of development, multiple trips to Italy, and countless espressos, De Sena is finally ready to share his vision with the world.
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“It took me awhile to find a manufacturer to work with me since I did not have these huge orders of shoes,” De Sena admitted. “But I actually landed one once the manufacturer found out I shot a campaign for a major athletic brand that featured a soccer player he was obsessed with. So, we made 10 for friends and family initially, and then eventually ordered 350 pairs to start selling under the Sena brand.”
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What was born from De Sena’s mission was The Milana, an all-leather loafer handmade in the Marche region of Italy. The upper is crafted from Italian calfskin, and its sole features a thin 5mm leather mold. The founder noted that the loafer’s soft leather heel allows it to be worn as a traditional loafer or a slipper.
Retailing for $695, De Sena noted that his debut style is designed to be unisex and is available in sizes 36 to 45. “I want my first four to five styles to be unisex,” De Sena said. “I think it’s a nice way for me to get into the industry – to bring something everyone can wear.”
And for his debut shoe’s launch campaign, De Sena returned to his roots in Maine. The film features his childhood friend and musician Role Model, capturing the “feeling” of being home in the simple forms of sound and body.
The designer added that the images were taken aboard The Francis, a handmade sailboat by a local Mainer. “It was important for Sena’s first campaign to feel organic and honest,” De Sena noted. “I wanted to use friends, fellow artists, handmade objects and the land of Maine to introduce our brand to the world.”
Ultimately, De Sena just wants his consumers to slow down and enjoy life. “So much of our society is all about that instant gratification,” the founder said. “But Sena is all about slow fashion and creating products that last a long time and can be enjoyed for a long time.”