Munir El Bibas, Founder and Creative Director ELBIMUN GioIt
In a world where opulence and exclusivity reign supreme, it is surprising that it took so long for a truly ‘for the rich only’ shoe to make its appearance in the market. A new paradigm in luxury footwear, the much-anticipated ELBIMUN Giolt shoe is ready for its big reveal. Defining unparalleled luxury, the new line of shoes are embellished with gold 18kt on which natural gemstones sparkle, the shoe itself crafted with meticulous attention to detail, elevating each pair to the status of art. Reserved for the discerning few who can truly appreciate and afford such extravagance, these shoes embody the pinnacle of sophistication and elegance. The ELBIMUN GioIt shoe is the brainchild of Munir El Bibas, who is the Founder and Creative Director. In an exclusive, he shared with The Luxury Chronicle, his journey and philosophy.
Munir El Bibas at work
The Luxury Chronicle – What is the core philosophy behind the bejeweled shoe with gold 18kt embellishments?
Munir El Bibas – Once I started working with footwear, my new working environment made a good contribution to my new inspirations to create something new. Focusing on footwear, walking, bipedalism, the first foot covers, the first shoes in history, I found myself thinking of objects of common use, universal symbols and used since ancient times. I am deeply interested in history, philosophy, anthropology, in particular the study of the evolution of the Homo Sapiens and sociology. My research led me to the shoe, as a cultural device, universal and timeless, yet changing with the times.
I made my first drawing of the project. The design is imbued with my way of being, my attitudes, always yearning for a clear identification of the origins and symbolic meaning in every part of the project, in every element of the product, in every shoe. The result is a powerful expressiveness, despite a new, strongly and immediately recognizable language…
In summary, I put together my personal and professional aptitudes, my passions: Culture, philosophy, jewelry, anthropology and objects to wear. Furthermore, all objects clearly reflect the same conceptual philosophy. The peculiarity of this rigorous, logical, technical language, uninterruptedly coherent with the theme. They are talking objects
ELBIMUN GioIt
ELBIMUN GioIt
Why did you use Gold on shoes? Please share the design process.
ELBIMUN GioIt
Munir El Bibas – The Theme is based on Gold and using it, despite the costs and the commitment of management demonstrates total freedom from compromises. I have had the wonderful opportunity to do research, in-depth study without limits, if not for expressive coherence and respect for the theme. One wears jewelry on the earlobes, fingers, around the neck, the wrist. With these jewel shoes I wanted to give the same dignity to the foot, a bejeweled foot.
I have created 23 themes, taking into consideration only the context in which Gold interacted significantly with our history, the sacred, the historical, the primitive, the mechanics, the ornament, the symbolic astrology, the senses, the Culture. And this is just one of the know-hows that make up this elaborate project. A new language also in product customization, where the identification of who owns the shoe is largely physically in the shoe.
I quote Jean Besancenot, “The shape and decoration of a jewel is of very little importance if the connection with the symbolic origin is not found”
Thus ELBIMUN GioIt – Italian luxury style was born.
Is the shoe line already available for purchase?
ELBIMUN GioIt
ELBIMUN GioIt
Munir El Bibas –Let’s start by proposing 4 physical examples of as many lines. 4 pairs of samples made for demonstrations-exhibitions for sale, plus another 22 thematic pairs to choose from the catalog of the first launch.
How can one buy this shoe?
Munir El Bibas – We will meet the customer directly; At the final stage of the exhibition, a regular sales contract will be signed. For the coverage of the precious items and part of the raw material, an advance of 20% of the cost of the product is expected.
ELBIMUN GioIt
ELBIMUN GioIt
Are you planning a physical store or will you be retailing online?
Munir El Bibas – They are all custom-made pieces, in one way or another for footwear it will always be necessary to try on the customer’s fit. (we clearly have a program in case of a surprise gift).
For On-site sales: The demonstrations/sales with my team will take place at a historic villa between Arezzo and Florence, Tuscany, Italy.
For Away sales: We will arrange with the customer’s staff.
Please note, the first investments will be dedicated to the creation of permanent sensory exhibitions-showrooms. We are completing the showcase site. The exclusivity and confidentiality, both, of the manufacturing processes and of the product itself, will provide for preview presentations and new releases, menus for exclusive access by our customers and all collaborators.
ELBIMUN GioIt
ELBIMUN GioIt
Can a buyer customize the shoe?
Munir El Bibas – Customization is also to all intents and purposes an absolute novelty for the world of wearable objects. Based on the model chosen by the customer, as ELBIMUN we will identify the appropriate identification elements to be transferred on the pair. The shoe without the customer’s personal elements is clearly an incomplete product; Customization in this case is not a whim, an added value, it is necessary for the finished product. In addition, each shoe has its own card with various choices for further customization. We are completing the showcase site. The exclusivity and confidentiality, both of the manufacturing processes and of the product itself, will provide for preview presentations and new releases, menus for exclusive access by our customers and all collaborators.
For further information and appointments, Munir El Bibas can be contacted by email – Elbimungioit@libero.it
About the Founder –
Munir Musbah Omar El Bibas
Born of Italian mother and Arab father, Munir Musbah Omar El Bibas arrived in Italy at age 14 with his parents. Munir’s family settled in Florence. Keenly interested in design, he went on to specialize in Gemology and Jewelry design. His career trajectory exposed him to the finest in the goldsmith sector, working in leading jewelry companies in Florence and Arezzo. He went on to open a gemological laboratory for high-end jewelry. Two decades hence, he ventured into the fashion industry, in the metal accessories sector for major brands, working with leather bags etc, and since 2017, footwear too.
Parallel to his career pursuits, multi-faceted Munir has a passion for writing and theater. He even attended specific training courses and later founded an association engaged in proposing inter-cultural events.
