Two years in development, the Connolly Driving Loafer debuts at 4 Clifford Street, distinguished by its signature British Racing Green sole. A loafer designed to be experienced.
The driving shoe has a storied history. First glimpsed in Monaco three decades ago, it was a loafer crafted with rubber bobbles on the sole, created—legend has it—for Gianni Agnelli to grip the metal pedals of his sports car. Hand-made in a small Italian town, the shoe later became a cult object, eventually attracting Prada, which acquired the original maker and still uses the logo first designed for the family business.
To create a new interpretation, Connolly invited shoe designer Alvaro Gonzalez—described by American Vogue as one of the “secret weapons” of the shoe-and-bag boom. His inspiration drew from the traditional racing driver’s boot. Employing glove construction, he developed a slim rubber sole echoing the finesse of classic racing shoes. Cross-stitching inspired by racing car steering wheels was integrated into the design, each cut and detail considered with purpose. The finest leathers and nubuck, long associated with automotive interiors and Connolly heritage, were selected.
The loafer’s construction mirrors the essentials of racing footwear: lightness, flexibility, and heightened sensitivity. An almond-shaped toe ensures comfort, while glove construction allows the upper leather sole to wrap seamlessly with anatomic precision. The carefully shaped “empeine” and ergonomically cut tongue enhance fit, while a thin, flexible sole provides balance without heavy blocks or uncomfortable rubber dots. Reinforcing its automotive identity, the steering wheel’s signature cross-stitching is reimagined as a defining element of the upper.
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