By Agnese Augusta Patriarca Bertoli. Cover AERA campaign project created by Master in Fashion Styling and Creative Direction class at Istituto Marangoni Firenze. Ph. Paolo Colaiocco.
AERA and the Rise of Vegan Luxury in Fashion
Fashion has never been just about aesthetics. As awareness grows and the cultural conversation around responsibility intensifies, the industry is under pressure to evolve: true luxury now hinges on ethics, intention, and lasting impact. This shift lies at the heart of AERA, a luxury vegan footwear brand launched in February 2020 by Tina Bhojwani, who previously held leadership roles at global houses including Donna Karan, Theory, and Dolce & Gabbana. Over a 20-year career, she witnessed the fashion world’s environmental and social toll firsthand. From the start, AERA embodied a clear mission: to prove luxury can harmonize with people, craftsmanship, and the planet. Born from the urgent need for systemic change, the brand embeds sustainability in every step, from design and production to storytelling, reimagining a more conscious luxury ecosystem.
Since its debut, AERA’s timeless silhouettes have slipped quietly into the wardrobes of an eclectic circle of influential women, from Emma Roberts and Kristen Stewart to Rosario Dawson, Jane Fonda and Meryl Streep. Each pair is handcrafted by Italian artisans, striking a delicate balance between contemporary design and age-old savoir-faire. At the heart of the brand lies its signature quilted insole, a now-trademarked USPTO detail that defines AERA’s identity, blending exceptional comfort with aesthetic precision.
It is within this framework that Istituto Marangoni Firenze students, part of the Master in Fashion Styling and Creative Direction, were invited to engage directly with the brand’s universe. Tasked with developing a campaign for AERA’s latest shoe collection, they explored how values such as responsibility, craftsmanship, and modern femininity can be translated into a visual and narrative language.
In the interview that follows, Tina Bhojwani reflects on the evolution of conscious luxury, the role of storytelling in shaping brand identity, and what it truly means to build a fashion company designed for impact as much as for desire.
What AERA Stands For: A New Era of Conscious Luxury
What does AERA mean?
AERA represents a new era of luxury, one that reflects a more conscious and modern way of thinking. It is about showing that design, desirability, and responsibility can coexist, and about creating something that feels relevant to how we live today.
Why Tina Bhojwani Founded AERA After a Career in Luxury Fashion
You’ve had a remarkable career. What was the itch you wanted to scratch with AERA?
I’ve had the privilege of working for some of the best companies in luxury, alongside incredibly talented people, and it’s been an incredibly rewarding career. At a certain point, I felt a pull to take that experience and apply it in a more purposeful way, using it to help shape the industry I love. With AERA, I set out to create the kind of product I believe in, something that stands on its own in terms of design and quality while being responsible at its core. To me, it’s about showing that true luxury today isn’t just about how something looks, but what it stands for.
How Jessica Miller Became an Investor and Creative Partner at AERA
How did you and Jessica Miller meet?
Jessica first came to AERA as a client, and our relationship grew very naturally from there. What began as an appreciation for the product quickly evolved into a deeper alignment of values. She’s now an investor and creative collaborator, which feels completely organic, and I’m thrilled to be working with her, not just on a personal level, but for the depth of perspective her years in the industry bring to everything we’re building and planning for the future.
Feminism and Sustainability: Why Conscious Fashion Can Be a Radical Act
What does feminism mean to you? And do you see sustainability as a radical feminist act?
For me, feminism is about agency and creating systems that are fair, respectful, and inclusive. In that sense, sustainability can absolutely be seen as a radical feminist act. It is about challenging structures that often rely on invisible or undervalued labor, and choosing to do things more consciously.
AERA and Istituto Marangoni Firenze: Bridging Industry and New Talent
In an interview with WWD, you mentioned how important it is for you to mentor and work with young people. What was it like working with our Masterclass, and why did you choose Istituto Marangoni Firenze?
It was incredibly rewarding. I’ve always believed you learn from everyone around you, whether they’re more experienced or just starting out, and I find the younger generation especially inspiring, as their perspective is often more intuitive and closer to where the world is going. Working with your Masterclass was a real highlight. Seeing these young women from such diverse backgrounds come together and create something so thoughtful and beautiful was really special. Marangoni is an institution I’ve long respected. Given that our materials are sourced in Italy and our shoes are made there, the collaboration felt like a very natural fit, much like our partnership with Jessica.
AERA’s SS26 Shoe Collection: Versatility, Color, and Storytelling
Can you walk us through the creative process behind this collection?
Our philosophy is that less is more, and that traditional seasonality is becoming less relevant. We design with a modern woman in mind—her lifestyle, her pace, and the many roles she moves through in a day. The goal is to create shoes that work for every moment—from casual to formal, from day to night, from desk to dance floor—with true versatility and longevity. This SS26 collection feels like an evolution for us, with the introduction of a print created in-house from watercolors inspired by the colors of Liguria, adding a new layer of expression and storytelling while still maintaining the clarity and restraint that define AERA.
Vegan Materials: Rethinking Craft Without Compromise
What challenges did you face working with vegan leather?
Working with vegan materials means rethinking traditional techniques. Our artisans are incredibly skilled, but these materials behave differently, so there’s definitely a learning curve. At the same time, it became a collaborative process and an opportunity to evolve craftsmanship rather than replace it.
How Sustainable Innovation Is Changing the Future of Accessories
What changes do you see in the artisanal world today?
I’m encouraged by a growing openness to innovation, and a new generation is entering the field with sustainability already embedded in their thinking. What we’re seeing is not a loss of tradition, but an expansion of it, allowing craftsmanship to evolve alongside new materials, technologies, and values.
