Tricker’s appoints Roberto Menichetti as Creative Director

Heritage English shoemaker Tricker’s has appointed Italian designer Roberto Menichetti as its new Creative Director.

The appointment follows last year’s majority investment in Tricker’s by Menichetti and James Fayed, Chairman of Turnbull & Asser, through their investment vehicle Blu Heartknot UK Ltd.

Menichetti will lead Tricker’s creative direction in parallel with his role as Creative Director of Jermyn Street shirtmaker Turnbull & Asser, “bringing together two pillars of British menswear and craftsmanship”.

Born in the United States and raised in Italy, Menichetti began his career in Paris alongside Claude Montana, later joining GFT before being selected to join Jil Sander in the 1990s where he “defined true minimalism”. He went on to spearhead Burberry’s creative turnaround in the late 1990s, reimagining the trench coat and reshaping the house’s identity.

He later served as Creative Director at Céline, as well as consulted for prestigious houses including Cerruti and Ballantyne. As a result, Menichetti brings a rare combination of deep technical design intelligence and proven experience revitalising historic brands.

Martin Mason, Managing Director of Tricker’s, said: “Tricker’s has always stood for substance - the integrity of our materials, the discipline of our processes and the pride of making in Northampton. Roberto’s arrival marks an important moment for the brand. His deep understanding of style and comfort will ensure that the shoes crafted here continue to feel relevant for years to come.

“Ours is a product with emotional investment: a story worth telling and one people want to hear. By sharpening our brand essence, shaping compelling narratives and forging emotional connections across both physical and digital channels, Roberto will help guide Tricker’s toward a future that is authentic, resonant and enduring.”

Menichetti commented: “Tricker’s is an extraordinary story, built over time by skilled minds and hands capable of uniting necessity, good taste and innovation. This is how its style has been passed down to today - remaining recognisable, solid and elegant. It is precisely this vision, able to anticipate real needs, that led Tricker’s to be the first to create footwear designed for the outdoors, defining an identity that still stands as a point of reference.

“Entering Tricker’s historic building in Northampton is an intense experience. In the people, in their hands, and in the love and care with which each shoe takes shape, emotion becomes feeling. You don’t see only history, but a future that continues to live. To safeguard Tricker’s means giving continuity to a timeless identity - looking ahead without losing its essence. The future has an ancient heart.”

James Fayed, Chairman of Turnbull & Asser and Director of Tricker’s, added: “Britain’s heritage houses remain globally admired because they are built on real capability: skilled hands, authentic provenance and a refusal to compromise.

“Tricker’s is a national treasure, not a logo, but a living factory and a body of knowledge. Our responsibility is to protect that legacy and give it the conditions to thrive for decades to come.”

Founded in 1829, Tricker’s is the oldest established shoemaker in England and the proud bearer of the Royal Warrant. Still manufacturing entirely from start to finish at its Grade II– listed Northampton factory, Tricker’s crafts each pair of boots and shoes using traditional techniques passed down through generations.

Known for its iconic country boots and heavy brogue shoes, Tricker’s remains recognised worldwide for enduring quality and “quintessentially English style”.

Under Menichetti’s leadership, Tricker’s will preserve its handmade Northampton construction and traditional shoemaking expertise while “advancing comfort, fit and everyday performance for the modern customer”.