Alex Rivière is among the social media queens of essential and polished style, with her sophisticated outfit choices attracting over a million of followers on Instagram alone. No wonder that her packing tip for the summer holidays is imbued with the same, minimal approach.
“There’s two things that can’t be missed in my summer luggage: a pair of flat lace-up sandals from the St. Tropez model from Manebí and the leopard tunic from my Alex Rivière Studio [brand],” she said at the intimate dinner event she co-hosted at Sant Ambroeus in Milan on Wednesday. The event celebrated the ongoing partnership with the Italian resort brand and the launch of their new collection, officially scheduled for May 10.
To wit, the relationship between Rivière and Manebí has repeatedly proved to be stronger than a summer love. Sparked four years ago, their chemistry keeps growing at the same pace the range they co-develop keep expanding.
“It’s a great pleasure to work together and that it’s been already four years of this adventure. We keep getting better, enjoying ourselves and have a lot of fun and the best thing is that we do products we love – and that sell very well,” said Rivière with a laugh.
“It’s been a whole process because we started with a very simple collection, only three models, very basic, very Manebí with the espadrilles and flat sandal, but I realized more and more that I’m more a flat sandal girl rather than the espadrilles [type] so the collection evolved into more leather styles,” said Rivière.
Rooted in comfort and versatility, the new collection hinges on chic and minimal styles including lace-up leather sandals in black and tan hues, options in croco-embossed leather as well as jute-soled flip-flop flats still set to appeal Manebí’s espadrilles enthusiasts.
Year after year, the two parties gradually experimented with new designs, as proved by her go-to shoe for the event, a high-heeled lace-up sandal.
“Last year I challenged them to do a stiletto, the first one they ever did, which is not [in the[ Manebí DNA,” said Rivière. “It’s the Alex shoe and it’s actually my favorite sandal: you can style it in any way. For example, today I’m wearing a classic suit, more like winterish, but you can wear it with denim shorts or a vaporous dress,” she added.
For the spring 2024 drop, Rivière further pushed the brand to explore new paths. A first for Manebí, velvet friulane ballerina and mary janes styles have been introduced in black and vibrant green hues to offer additional options to customers. Hand-woven leather bags, ranging from tote bags and bucket designs, finish off the collection.
Available on pre-order from Friday on the Manebí website, the line is priced between 165 euros for flat styles up to 205 euros for the lace-up wedge espadrilles.
Rivière initially followed her passion for the fashion industry establishing the Rivi Studio company, active in services such as creative direction, content production, design and digital marketing for fashion brands. The success of the project encouraged her to launch the Alex Rivière Studio resort wear line based on sustainable luxury beachwear cut in timeless shapes and crafted in Costa Brava, Spain, supporting local manufacturers.
As for Manebí, collaborations are an integral part of its business, which was established in 2013 by Milanese friends Antonello Benati and Vera Drossopulo Bogdano and built a name from itself by revisiting espadrilles styles.
As the brand gradually expanded to footwear and beachwear collections injected with a joyful resort vibe, it also heightened its visibility launching co-branded capsule collections with key partners, including Sergio Rossi, Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini, LoveShackFancy, Luisa Beccaria and Forte_Forte.
In March 2019, Milano Investment Partners, a fund management company that specializes in venture growth investments, acquired a minority stake in the company through a capital increase to accelerate the label’s international expansion. Ever since, Manebí added new product categories, including ready-to-wear, and boosted its distribution.
The brand counts stores in hot summer destinations such as Cannes, St. Tropez, Mykonos, Ibiza, Formentera, Portofino, Capri, Porto Cervo, Forte dei Marmi and Taormina, among others. These add to more than 400 international fashion retailers carrying the brand, including the likes of Saks Fifth Avenue, Rinascente, Modes, Ounass and LuisaViaRoma, to name a few.
