Exploring HAUS: Golden Goose’s cultural revolution

With a journey that began in Venice back in the year 2000, founded by the husband and wife duo Alessandro Gallo and Francesca Rinaldo travelling as far as the skate parks of California and the skyscrapers of Tokyo, Golden Goose has become globally known for its distressed yet comfortable creations, garnering a passionate community of fans and collectors worldwide. Now, the iconic Italian sneaker and ready-to-wear brand celebrated its HAUS event in Venice with a series of unique immersive experiences open to the public, which provided an insight into its history, inspirations and a new home for the brand’s community of Dreamers. The immersive phygital space embodied the DNA of Golden Goose and brought together creatives of multiple disciplines and backgrounds.

In our exclusive interview with Silvio Campara, the visionary CEO leading Golden Goose’s team of Dreamers, we delve deep into the essence and aspirations of HAUS, the brand’s groundbreaking global cultural platform.

Discovering the Genesis

Golden Goose’s origins are deeply rooted in a profound love for exploration, art, and the allure of vintage treasures. Every discovery served as an inspiration and every inspiration has become a dream. HAUS emerges as a manifestation of this ethos, serving as a beacon for creativity, culture, and craftsmanship.

HAUS: A Nexus of Creativity

Situated in Marghera, Italy, HAUS finds its genesis in Venice’s industrial port, where Golden Goose’s journey first took flight. “This immersive sanctuary serves as a living embodiment of the brand’s DNA” says Campara, “accentuating its core values through a rich tapestry of crafts, culture, and artistic expression.” Within HAUS, an Academy nurtures the talents of future Dream Makers, while the adjacent Manovia is a place dedicated to product innovation, extending the lifespan of items from diverse brands. Through its Archive, Library, Auditorium, and world-class Hangar – an Exhibit Area to showcase artists and their works – HAUS offers an enriching experience, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the Golden Universe.

HAUS Week: Catalyzing Community Engagement

The unveiling of HAUS during HAUS Week in April marked a significant milestone for Golden Goose. Over two dynamic days, the community actively participated in a diverse array of events, including captivating performances, enlightening workshops, and thought-provoking discussions on art, culture, and…well, sneakers. In the words of Campara, “HAUS Week not only celebrated creativity, but also served as a platform to give back to the vibrant local community in Venice, fostering intercultural dialogue, creativity, and freedom of expression.”

Expanding Horizons

Empowered by the resounding success of HAUS Week, Golden Goose stands ready to elevate HAUS onto the global stage, fortifying its bond with the diverse community of Dreamers worldwide. Silvio Campara envisions HAUS as a cultural platform transcending geographical boundaries, fostering collaboration and creativity on a global scale.

HAUS of Dreamers: Celebrating Multiculturalism through Art

In May 2023, Golden Goose launched HAUS of Dreamers, a pioneering series of worldwide events aimed at bringing the physical experience of HAUS around the globe. At this year’s edition in Venice, HAUS of Dreamers convened four distinguished artists from diverse cultural backgrounds: visual artist Andrés Reisinger, Italian sculptor Fabio Viale, French-Italian painter Maïa Régis, and Puerto Rican-American singer Mia Lailani. “These artists were handpicked for their ability to craft unique experiences resonating with Golden Goose’s core values. Through their distinctive works, they embody the essence of the brand, enriching the cultural tapestry of HAUS” says Golden Goose’s executive director.

Skateboarding: A Cultural Affinity

Golden Goose’s deep-rooted connection to skateboarding is a testament to its ethos of lived experience and contemporary elegance. Inspired by the vibrant skate scene of Venice Beach, LA, the brand’s aesthetic seamlessly blends casual sophistication with urban edge. “Every abrasion, scratch and mark of a Golden Goose sneaker recreate the vibe of an actual experience in the Venice Beach Skatepark”, states Campara. Collaborations with esteemed skaters like Cory Juneau consolidate this affinity, resulting in specialized sneakers such as the Ball Star PRO, “a ‘skateboarding use only’ sneaker that Cory himself wore to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which made his bronze medal even more memorable for us.”

Building on this momentum, additional colour variations of the Ball Star PRO were released, still a product of the parnership with Cory, inspired by different places he visited. Furthermore, other PRO sneakers were also introduced, co-designed with other international skaters such as Brooklinn Khoury, Zhang Xin, Briana King, and legendary skater and Global Brand Ambassador Rune Glifberg – each of them inspired by their different passions, backgounds and individual stories.

The international dream team of skate talents also took part in our HAUS of Dreamers event in Paris last October, kicking off the evening with an adrenaline-fueled skateboarding performance set in a sculptural skate grandstand at the iconic Le Jardin des Plantes.

Commitment to Sustainability

Golden Goose’s commitment to sustainability advocates for responsibility (with people and the environment) and durability (giving longer life to pre-existing products) – small actions for big changes. “There are many different ways to be responsible” states Campara. And he continues “for us, it is crucial to create a brighter future for the next generations and make our change as tangible as possible. Since the debut, Golden Goose has always been sustainable by supporting local craftsmanship, its people and communities. Through our ‘Forward Store’ format, we offer a wide range of services (Repair, Remake, Resell and Recycle) conceived to promote circularity, lengthen, and manage products’ lifecycle, giving new life to pre-owned products from any brands, thus reducing the environmental impact. With repairing services at our Forward Stores, we take care of the memories of our customers, while extending the lifecycle of their beloved products.” 

The Forward Agenda – introduced in March 2022 – is the company sustainability vision tackling some of the most pressing challenges facing the world, moving forward towards positive changes. The company has introduced 10 clear-cut goals to be met by 2025: reducing its environmental impact by becoming carbon neutral, using responsible materials, tracing raw materials, and continuously improving social and environmental standards throughout the ‘supply consumer’, an evolution of the supply chain concept. Moreover, the Agenda encompasses dedicated awareness-raising initiatives aimed at fostering and enhancing diversity while promoting an inclusive culture and empowering local communities.

Looking Ahead

As HAUS continues to evolve, Golden Goose remains steadfast in its dedication to creativity, culture, and sustainability. With each endeavor, the brand invites Dreamers worldwide to join a movement where artistry, diversity, and responsibility converge, shaping a brighter future for generations to come.