GOLDEN GOOSE: A STORY OF PAST AND PRESENT

Golden Goose, the Italian luxury footwear brand, continues to reach new milestones while reshaping contemporary sneaker culture. Its models, distinguished by their unmistakable distressed finish, have carved out a unique market niche inspired by Los Angeles skaters and their worn-out shoes from countless skateboard tricks. This same skater philosophy—appreciating the old while embracing the new—continues to drive the brand toward new horizons.

What began as an idea in a garage in Venice in 2000 has transformed into a global phenomenon. Behind its craftsmanship lies the essence of casual luxury and creative self-expression.

Recent initiatives further cement Golden Goose as a pioneer in the industry. The appointment of new ambassadors, including tennis and padel champions like Jasmine Paolini, Zizou Bergs, Marta Ortega, and Juan Lebrón, positions the brand as a leader in fostering community spirit.

Golden Goose sneakers reflect firm conviction with the values that define them: authenticity, passion, and creativity. The upcoming opening of their padel pavilion in Milan will solidify their bond with sports and global communities.

The Italian label is a celebration of imperfection, craftsmanship, and timeless style. With iconic models like the Superstar and Ball Star, the brand has sparked a movement that inspires individuality and creativity. Here, we explore the history of Golden Goose sneakers, their most iconic models, and their ongoing impact on the fashion world.

The History of Golden Goose Sneakers

Golden Goose was founded in 2000 in Marghera, an industrial town near Venice, Italy. Its founders, Francesca Rinaldo and Alessandro Gallo, sought to merge traditional Italian craftsmanship with disruptive aesthetics, crafting something truly unique for the global luxury market. From a small garage-turned-office, they began a journey that would revolutionise the world of sneakers.

The streets of Venice served as their main inspiration: spaces worn by time and use, blending the legacy of a historic capital with the symbols of a new era—graffiti and youth culture. This ethos of individuality and creative authenticity has remained central to the brand’s identity over the years.

However, it wasn’t until their time in Los Angeles, immersed in the city’s skate culture, that they fully embraced the appeal of worn sneakers. Skaters, known for their style as much as their tricks, told unique stories through the wear and tear on their shoes—hard-earned through countless hours of practice and perseverance.

The name “Golden Goose” originates from Aesop’s fable “The Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs.” As the story goes, the brand’s legacy has spread globally, much like the tale. Over time, this name has become a symbol of creativity and exclusivity.

In 2007, Golden Goose launched its most iconic model: the Super-Star. These sneakers redefined the concept of everyday luxury with their handcrafted distressed design. The label became a pioneer in the global “sneakerization” movement, transforming sneakers into a staple of luxury wardrobes.

Over the years, the brand has grown exponentially while staying true to its core values. In 2020, it was acquired by the private equity firm Permira, marking a new chapter in its global expansion. Beyond sneakers, the house now explores apparel, accessories, and personalized experiences like the Haus of Dreamers, a space celebrating the intersection of art, community, and fashion.

Today, Golden Goose is synonymous with Italian craftsmanship—a philosophy that embraces the beauty of imperfection. With over €500 million in annual sales and a growing focus on sustainability, this brand continues to lead the way.

The Most Iconic Golden Goose Sneaker Models

Golden Goose Super-Star

The Golden Goose Super-Star sneakers are a true icon of contemporary fashion. Since their debut in 2007, they’ve become the brand’s quintessential sneaker. Inspired by Los Angeles skate culture, the Super-Star disrupted established norms with its innovative design. This model is a perfect representation of the brand’s aesthetic.

The sneaker brand modernized the distressed, lived-in style, emphasizing the individuality of each pair. Every Super-Star tells its own story, crafted through unique, manual processes.

Each pair of Golden Goose Super-Star sneakers is handmade, requiring about four hours of meticulous craftsmanship. The result is that no two pairs are identical, even within the same collection.

The Super-Star holds a privileged place in the brand’s lineup, representing the perfect blend of luxury and disruption.

Golden Goose Ball Star

The Golden Goose Ball Star pays homage to 1980s American college culture and basketball. Its design merges past and present in a model that feels both nostalgic and contemporary. With its vintage charm, the Ball Star has become a best-seller.

Nostalgia is the defining emotion of these sneakers. The Ball Star captures this essence, reflecting the brand’s ability to tell stories through its designs.

At the heart of the Ball Star is Golden Goose’s signature Italian craftsmanship. Each pair undergoes meticulous treatment to achieve its characteristic distressed effect, giving it an authentic, lived-in look. This model stands out with retro graphics inspired by college sports and basketball typography, wrapped in a modern aesthetic.

A unique feature of the Ball Star is its skater-inspired detailing. The sneakers mimic the asymmetric wear of skaters, where the right shoe shows more wear from pushing against the ground. This thoughtful detail underscores the brand’s combination of fashionable items that remain functional.

Golden Goose Stardan

A tribute to the ‘90s, the Golden Goose Stardan sneakers are a time capsule. They draw inspiration from the carefree optimism of 1990s adolescence—afternoons spent playing video games, basketball games with friends, and music on a Walkman. The Stardan invites wearers to relive those moments or discover them for the first time.

True to the brand’s artisanal spirit, the Stardan takes the brand’s signature distressed treatment to new heights. These sneakers feature an extreme aging process that gives them a “lived-in” effect, complete with deliberately worn panels and the iconic Golden Goose star.

From the start, the Stardan was designed to be highly customisable. Early models included stamps and details like the founders’ initials and the names of people they met during their travels. This tradition continues with hidden inscriptions on the sole—secret messages that make each pair even more special. The Stardan’s vibrant bi-chromatic and fluorescent tones further enhance its unique appeal.

Golden Goose Lightstar

Each Golden Goose sneaker seems to progress through time while maintaining its vintage essence. A storytelling approach that evolves with the years. The Golden Goose Lightstar bridges this relationship between past and future, combining nostalgia for the 2000s with forward-looking modernity.

Designed to capture and reflect light, these sneakers feature metallic details and a chunky sole. Their design seems inspired by the famous Dad-Sneaker, a late-20th-century style associated with fathers and family men.

The Lightstar model offers a subtler distressed effect, focusing its nostalgia on design while incorporating a futuristic finish.

Find all these Golden Goose men’s sneakers in seasonal selections on our website, app, and men’s store