From Pitti uomo and with a sunrise run to discover secret Florence, the partnership between Craft and Artcrafts International kicks off. A limited run in which 40 industry professionals attending Pitti Uomo had the chance to get a first taste and test the Swedish brand’s shoes.
All of us who run know what it means to visit “less traveled” roads at dawn to discover cities, and it is an extremely original way to launch a partnership project. Not surprisingly, Simone Ponziani, CEO of Artcrafts International and runner, stressed, “Running at dawn in the beauty of Florence is an act to which we give a strong symbolic value. For us, it is the dawn of a new adventure that will evolve the company’s path in the world of running in coherence with its mission: to support the practice of sports at all levels by presenting technologically advanced and sustainable products to the market. All through a constructive partnership with specialized retailers.”
Craft is an up-and-coming brand that has already made waves on several occasions. In particular, the CTM Carbon Race Rebel and the Pro Endure Distance are two products that have already distinguished themselves through their quality, high-level performance, and attention to sustainability. The same shoes you saw on the feet of Lee Grantham, the winner of the 2022 100 Km Passatore. Along with him already a large number of athletes use Craft: Tommy Rivs and his brother Jacob Puzey, Tim Freriks, Davide Laney and strongwomen Ida Nilsson, Manuela Villaseca and Aroa Sio. And soon Italian names will be coming too; in fact, Artcrafts is already selecting elite athlete profiles and ambassadors in Italy to kick off a substantial sports-marketing plan.
It is important to know what is going on in the running world even off the streets and stores because there is always a great need for new quality brands-they are an injection of novelty and improvement in our market. Two very important elements to create better and better shoes that make us enjoy running more.
Artcrafts is undoubtedly one of the best distributors here in Italy and has been a HOKA distributor for 5 years. And, given the success with the U.S. brand, the conditions are also good to see great Craft growth.
