The 2022 edition of Taomoda, the international event dedicated to fashion, green, tourism and design, returned to the Teatro Antico in Taormina from July 19 to 24, 2022, in partnership with the Sicilian Region, the department of productive activities and the department for Cultural Heritage, Cnmi-National Chamber of Italian fashion and the Italian Buyer Chamber. On the occasion of the Sicilian fashion week, were awarded to personalities from fashion, music, journalism, television and medicine. Among the novelties of Tao fashion week, there is the Sustainability award, won by Valentina Curzio. The young visionary designer who created the streetwear-inspired footwear brand RBRSL, was recognized by a commission of journalists and national newspapers, not only as the youngest Italian designer of sustainable sneakers, but also for having been able to bring the new generation to responsible shopping.
Her shoes are made by using an entirely handmade process; they have undergone a patented rubberizing process: after being treated, they are drowned in a special liquid rubber that, as it cools, incorporates the upper, forming a transparent shell. The project has the aim to set a strategy against disposable fashion and more: through the use of waste rubber from the sole, RBRSL can also offer paintings and lights characterised by a timeless and new aesthetic.
On that occasion, the designer also unveiled a new sustainable sneaker model for SS 2023, made using recycled materials from the paper industry such as packets of cigarettes, napkins, etc. and processing waste of the soles.

Photo: the new sustainable sneaker model for SS 2023. Courtesy of RBRSL