Luxury customers know quality speaks first, and Berluti has long exemplified that: its shoes, leather goods and apparel stand apart because the house insists on meticulous craftsmanship, exquisite materials and precise construction. The Maison mines its archives for inspiration, ensuring every category reflects Berluti’s singular aesthetic and remarkable allure.
With the newly reopened Berluti boutique at Plaza Indonesia and the inclusion of ready-to-wear, the brand is directing more attention to Southeast Asia. The Time Place Magazine was fortunate to secure an exclusive interview with Jean-Marc Mansvelt, Berluti’s CEO, who shared clear insights into the Berluti DNA, the behaviour of luxury shoppers and the brand’s plans for the region.
When you first joined Berluti as CEO at the beginning of 2024, what surprised you the most about the Maison, and reinforced your conviction in its potential?
Upon joining Berluti in 2024, I was most profoundly struck by two elements. Firstly, the dedication of our artisans; their skills, passion and precision are truly inspiring. Secondly, and equally powerful, is the deep emotional connection our clientele shares with the Maison. This loyalty, this profound attachment, is what makes Berluti unique. Our rich history and unparalleled Savoir-Faire in shoemaking prove that Berluti has its place among the leading luxury menswear brands. We do not aim to be the biggest one, but to excel in our craft and continue to amaze our existing clients and win new audiences, who are equally drawn to Berluti’s artistry and refined elegance. I am confident Berluti will continue to distinguish itself by cherishing its rich past while confidently embracing the future, fostering that intimate connection with clients who choose a culture, a unique Maison balancing tradition and contemporaneity, recognising the investment value in what we offer through our creations.
The end of 2025 was an especially exciting one for Berluti in Southeast Asia, with the reopening of the Jakarta boutique. What opportunities and insights do you see in the Indonesian market, and how do they align with Berluti’s global strategy?
The reopening of our Jakarta boutique last September is a pivotal moment for Berluti in Southeast Asia. Our boutique at Plaza Indonesia offers an immersive brand experience, and features, for the first time, our ready-to-wear offer in Indonesia—a long-expected client wish we’re delighted to realise. We see significant opportunities in the Indonesian market, driven by a dynamic and growing luxury client base that increasingly appreciates refined craftsmanship and sophisticated design. With Time International, we can rely on a strong business partner, who supports us with its expertise and local insights.
Berluti has long been celebrated for its mastery in leather and footwear, but its ready-to-wear has since become an integral part of the Maison. How do you see RTW shaping the modern Berluti man?
Yes, our heritage is deeply rooted in footwear, as we have developed our expertise for over 130 years now. Over the past two decades, Berluti has naturally expanded its Savoir-Faire to leather goods and apparel as our clients continuously expressed their wish to fully dress in Berluti. In fact, Berluti is today the only menswear brand to offer fully bespoke creations from head to toe, or as we prefer to call it, “from toe to head”.
Our ready-to-wear offer, which we just introduced in Indonesia, provides a complete wardrobe that extends our clients’ personal style. I would call it a holistic expression of self, offering sophisticated, versatile, and impeccably crafted pieces that embody the timeless elegance and distinction of Berluti. We empower our clients to compose a truly “remarkable allure” through their considered and assumed choices, ensuring every item reflects a profound aesthetic, while being a beautifully crafted object with character.
What considerations went into bringing the complete Berluti offerings with RTW included in Indonesia, and how do you see the city’s sophisticated clientele responding to it?
Our decision to introduce the complete Berluti offerings, including ready-to-wear, in Indonesia was made with a deep understanding of Jakarta’s sophisticated clientele. We meticulously considered their evolving tastes and their appreciation for a comprehensive luxury lifestyle. We anticipate a very positive response, as this expansion allows our clients to fully immerse themselves in the Berluti lifestyle. It provides them with the opportunity to embrace everything from our iconic footwear to our refined apparel, offering a complete sartorial solution that caters to their exacting standards and desire for distinctive elegance.
You’ve spoken about exceptional client loyalty and passion for Berluti. What are some of the key experiences or services you are prioritising to deepen this loyalty, particularly in growing markets like Southeast Asia?
The level of loyalty, passion, and attachment to Berluti is indeed exceptional, and it is something we are incredibly proud of. To deepen this loyalty, particularly in dynamic markets like Southeast Asia, we prioritise highly personalised experiences. We have, for instance, a colourist based in Jakarta who is able to locally execute our signature embellishments, such as the patina or tattoos.
These initiatives are deeply rooted in our DNA and foster a profound sense of community and connection with the Maison. It is important for us to offer this level of service across our international boutique network. We aim to cultivate and amplify this intimate relationship over time, recognising that our clients are choosing not just products, but a culture, a sense of belonging to the Maison that connects an exclusive circle of people with exquisite taste.
Sustainability and transparency of sourcing and manufacturing are increasingly central to luxury consumers. Berluti makes its footwear in Ferrara, Italy. How do you articulate the Maison’s position on craftsmanship and sustainability?
Berluti has a sustainable approach: we create high-quality products that are meant to last for years and years. We articulate our position by emphasising the longevity, durability, and enduring value of our products. We advocate for a philosophy of conscious luxury, where investing in a Berluti piece is an investment in timeless style and quality, honouring both our rich heritage and our commitment to sustainability.
Our Manifattura in Ferrara is at the heart of this philosophy, where our 400 skilled artisans craft the magic of Berluti. Having our own manufacturing site allows us to maintain the most stringent quality control, preserve invaluable artisanal skills, and ensure ethical sourcing practices for our leathers.
As you look to the future, what would you identify as the next frontier for Berluti in terms of innovation, customer experience or geographical expansion?
Of course, we always look ahead and work hard to push our limits with the ambition to offer our clients the best possible products and services. Also, here, we are not looking for “the next big thing”, following trends, but we look at long-term enhancements that are true to us and the experience our loyal clients know and love about Berluti.
In terms of innovation, we will continue to explore cutting-edge materials and sustainable practices to further enhance the longevity and performance of our creations. Client experience is indeed at the heart of Berluti, as from the very beginning, we placed the client at the heart of everything we do. This means further enhancing personalisation, expanding our bespoke services to new markets, and ensuring every interaction deepens their connection with the Maison.
Our ambition is to cultivate and amplify this intimate relationship over time, ensuring each client experiences Berluti as a house of luxury and creation. Geographically, we follow the same principle; I would not talk about expansion but rather enhancement of our existing retail network. We have 60 boutiques across the globe, in which we aim to further elevate client experience. An excellent example of it is Jakarta, but we are also undertaking this in Shanghai, as well as in our Taipei store, which we reopened last summer.
If you had to sum up in one sentence what “luxury” means for Berluti in 2026, what would that sentence be?
I would say that Berluti’s definition of luxury does not change from one year to another, but it is a constant principle we have been following since our foundation. For Berluti, luxury means a unique blend of artisanal excellence, profoundly personalised creations, and timeless elegance that authentically enriches the lives of our clients.
We see luxury as a thoughtful choice of culture and way of life, a sense of belonging we offer our sophisticated and discerning clients by creating a truly intimate and long-lasting connection with them, when they come to our boutique, of course, but most importantly, every moment they spend wearing our creations.
