A fashion maven for more than two decades, today, Fabiana Rigamonti specializes in footwear design as the creative director at Aerosoles, responsible for setting the style and tone for the brand. In this key role, she oversees collaborations with various teams to ensure alignment in product development and marketing initiatives. Her leadership has significantly enhanced Aerosoles’ market presence by catering to consumer demands for both comfort and style.
Since 2022, Ms. Rigamonti also has been the chief executive officer of kWIT jewelry. Her leadership has been marked by innovative strategies that have propelled the brand forward. Prior to this tenure, she was the senior footwear design director for Calvin Klein Women and CK Calvin Klein at Global Brands Group from 2014 to 2020. During her time in this role, she played a pivotal part in revitalizing Calvin Klein’s women’s line, increasing its visibility and profitability in major retail spaces.
From 2012 to 2014, Ms. Rigamonti was the design director at Highline United, where she honed her skills in leading design teams and expanding product lines. Her earlier career includes serving as the creative director at Schwartz & Benjamin from 2010 to 2012, following her initial role as a footwear designer with the company from 2008 to 2010. These experiences helped her develop a sharp eye for detail and a deep understanding of market trends.
Ms. Rigamonti began her career as the owner and co-creative director of Due Farina. This venture laid the foundation for her future success, allowing her to cultivate a unique design perspective that benefited the brands she later worked with. Her contributions consistently led to significant sales growth and enhanced market presence for each brand. Ms. Rigamonti laid a solid academic foundation for her career path with a bachelor’s degree in physics, earned in Italy in 2001, after which she completed coursework at the Parsons School of Design with The New School in 2005, providing her with a solid grounding in design principles.
Concerned for her community, Ms. Rigamonti volunteers at a soup kitchen and supports children’s hospitals through various initiatives. Her dedication to civic engagement extends to art therapy programs and mentoring efforts through the Two Ten Footwear Foundation. Further, she volunteers at The Bowery Mission.
Reflecting on her professional path, Ms. Rigamonti considers her most notable achievement to be contributing to the growth and success of multiple brands. She recognizes that design teams often do not receive the same attention as other aspects of the industry, but her leadership in design and direction for various footwear brands has significantly enhanced their market presence and achieved notable sales growth. Recognized for her achievements, Ms. Rigamonti received the GenArt Fresh Face Award in 2005. She ascribes her success to her hard work, outspokenness, and commitment to staying true to her beliefs. Despite the challenges of navigating office politics, she prioritizes transparency and values honesty above all else.
Although she lives in New Jersey, Ms. Rigamonti’s personal origins are deeply rooted in her birthplace of Milan, Italy, where she developed an early appreciation for fashion and design. Looking forward, she is dedicated to advocating for greater opportunities for women in the industry by creating mentorship programs and networking events tailored specifically for women. Her vision includes promoting equal representation in leadership roles within prominent organizations.