Shoemaking isn’t all polish-soaked rags and heavy machinery. OK, some of it is, but Italian label AGL wants to shine a light on the unseen sides of footwear craft; from the more intangible elements of great design to the underrepresented individuals of the industry.

It does so via its new campaign film – Factory Girls – produced in collaboration with Nowness and directed by Italian director Stella Asia Consonn.

A celebration of the female-majority team behind every Made In Italy AGL shoe, the film sees two female protagonists, Yolanda and Sophia, go head to head to create the perfect pair of AGLs. The pattern cutting and hammer work is all there – but this is shoemaking as we’ve rarely seen it before. 

Factory Girls marks the release of AGL’s SS22 collection – comprising brand new silhouettes in a range of hues and textures, from Nappa leather, tulle, and lace to butter yellows, blush pinks, and pastels. 

Established in 1958 by their grandfather, AGL is now run by the three Giusti sisters. As alluded to in the film, it’s the “feminine sixth sense” that’s a guiding design principle in the brand’s SS22 collection and beyond. 

“We designed the collection embracing only good vibes, making what we like, what satisfies us, what makes us feel beautiful and safe, relying on our feminine intuition, on something that women understand instinctively. What’s more, there’s a big difference in the approach to developing a collection if the designers are women,” the sisters explain.

The film “addresses the AGL essence,” says Consonni. “A brand with a strong sense of Italian mastery, filled with grace, strength, and femininity, made for those in search of something distinctive and sophisticated without compromising comfort.”

You can explore AGL’s SS22 collection and shop the range here.