Scarosso

Scarosso S.r.l. operates as a direct-to-consumer (DTC) brand in the luxury footwear market, offering handcrafted Italian shoes for men and women. The company was founded in 2010 by Marco Reiter and Moritz Offeney, who met while studying for their MBA at SDA Bocconi University in Milan. The initial idea was born from observing a market gap for high-quality men's shoes in the €80 to €200 price range. The founders were inspired by the fashion-forward environment of Milan and the accessibility of skilled artisans. Offeney, with a background in his family's law firm, and Reiter, with a degree in Business Administration, combined their skills to launch the e-commerce venture.

The company's business model is centered on eliminating intermediaries, thereby offering luxury-grade products at a more accessible price point. Scarosso partners with family-owned artisan workshops in Montegranaro, a renowned shoemaking district in the Marche region of Italy, to manufacture its products. This direct relationship with manufacturers, who also produce for major fashion houses, allows the company to pass cost savings directly to the consumer. Revenue is generated primarily through its online platform, which focuses on direct sales to a pan-European and North American customer base. Initially launched in Berlin to leverage the city's startup ecosystem, the company is now headquartered in Milan, Italy. Over the years, Scarosso has also expanded into physical retail, opening mono-brand stores in several German cities and Vienna.

Scarosso's product line includes a wide array of classic footwear such as Oxfords, loafers, and Chelsea boots, as well as sneakers and accessories like belts, bags, and shoe care items. A key feature of their offering is the online configurator, which allows customers to customize their shoes by selecting the model, leather, color, and sole type. The brand has also engaged in collaborations with style influencers and designers to create special collections. The company has successfully raised a total of $11 million over four funding rounds, with its latest Series B round in September 2014 led by NEO Investment Partners, DN Capital, and IBB Beteiligungsgesellschaft.

Keywords: direct-to-consumer footwear, handcrafted Italian shoes, luxury accessories, online shoe retail, Montegranaro craftsmanship, customizable shoes, European fashion brand, Milan-based startup, affordable luxury, leather goods, e-commerce fashion, Marco Reiter, Moritz Offeney, SDA Bocconi alumni, footwear manufacturing, direct sales, men's classic shoes, women's leather shoes, artisan workshops, fashion technology