Artisanal passion and continuous innovation: the recipe for the perfect shoe
Interview with Cristina Garbujo
Originally from the Montebelluna area, the beating heart of the sports footwear district, at just 23 years old Cristina Garbujo is one of the young talents of Sidi, a leading company in the production of technical footwear for cycling and motorcycling, where she works as a Junior Developer.
Cristina joined the Sidi team two years ago, but her connection with this sector has deep roots, as her father is in fact an artisan shoemaker. Initially, however, she seemed set to follow another path and, after attending a linguistic high school, she enrolled in Economics: “it was a rational choice, but that course did not gratify me. Then, one day, I went into my father’s workshop and, just for fun, I tried to make a shoe. There, where the silence is broken only by the sound of the tools and no thought manages to scratch your concentration, I felt at peace.” Once she understood what she liked doing, Cristina left university and enrolled in an ITS (Higher Technical Institute) course to specialize in the design and production of footwear, components and sports accessories. In addition, on Saturdays she attended a course in sports footwear patternmaking organized by the Fondazione Sport System. “I have always focused on the technical side, because I am quite precise, and soon patternmaking became my passion, what gave me the most satisfaction.” But what is patternmaking? “It is the phase of work that deals with translating the stylistic design of the shoe into technical models that can be produced. In practice, it is the bridge between the designer’s creative idea and the actual production.” Cristina did her first trials together with her father: “all my prototypes have always been mounted by my dad by hand, so I also saw how it used to be done, learning some of the secrets of old-school artisans.”
Her entry into Sidi happened almost by chance, thanks to word of mouth from a classmate and to her passion for the world of motorcycles, in particular motocross. In November 2023 she joined the company as an intern, since her studies only allowed her to work some mornings a week, but very soon the extra-curricular internship turned into an opportunity for growth. “I joined as support for our research and development office, always focused on the technical side and on patternmaking. Then I had the opportunity to become a junior developer, which is what I do today.” In this role she also has the opportunity to travel to visit trade fairs, suppliers and partners. Research and training are fundamental to be always up to date and keep pace with the latest developments in the sector: “the shoe may seem simple, but it is made up of very many components, which is why our work involves constant updating. Innovations concern materials, printing processes, manufacturing processes, components and much more, and they are aimed at achieving fundamental objectives: safety, performance and sustainability.”
Today Cristina has a permanent contract at Sidi, she mainly deals with cycling shoes and riding shoes for motorcycling and works in a team of seven people. In her role as junior developer, she follows the shoe project from beginning to end, working closely with patternmakers, designers and developers. “It is a team effort. I am responsible for coordinating the project, keeping an eye on timing, managing communications and collaborating with other departments such as marketing, production and planning. What I like most is precisely the collaboration and continuous interaction .” The process of developing a shoe, she explains, is long and articulated: “on average it takes a year. You have to consider prototyping, size development, fit tests. Every component must be checked and optimized.”
The company environment is young and dynamic, also because, since the entry of Italmobiliare, the new management has launched collaborations with universities and vocational institutes that have led to the hiring of many promising young people, including Cristina. There is also a strong propensity for growth and innovation: “I have always had the opportunity to learn from everyone, from colleagues in other departments and from managers. It is an environment that gives the opportunity to grow.” The climate within the team is also positive: “we discuss things a lot, we are surrounded by creativity. In the footwear world they say it is hard to find people who want to teach, but I have been very lucky: all my colleagues are eager to share and to help me grow. By now we also know each other personally, it is a bit like a family.”
When asked what makes her proud, Cristina candidly answers that she does not know, because she usually asks herself what she could have done better rather than dwelling on what she has done. Then she reflects and says: “on the occasion of the sales meeting (in May 2025, when the company presented the new logo) it was exciting to see all our new products on display. At that moment I realized how many things we had done.”
