There are shoes that follow the latest trends. And then there are shoes that tell a story.
From this idea was born Batik – Le Friulane d’Oriente, an exclusive collection from Pli-Pla Calzature, our shoe store in Milan, designed for those who love wearing something more than a simple accessory.
Each Batik model draws inspiration from a real destination, a distant culture, and an artistic heritage worthy of being shared. It's not just about choosing eye-catching colors or patterns: every detail stems from the observation of places, traditions, and symbols, reinterpreted in a contemporary way through the design of a Friulian artisan.
The first stop on this journey takes us to Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Siam and one of the most fascinating places in Thailand.
Batik: when a shoe is born from a journey
The name of the collection is no coincidence.
Batik is one of the oldest decorative techniques in Southeast Asia, a textile art that uses geometric patterns, symbols, and colors to tell stories, beliefs, and traditions passed down through time.
We wanted to pay homage to this cultural heritage by creating a collection that combines:
- Italian craftsmanship;
- Orient-inspired design;
- selected materials;
- workmanship with meticulous attention to detail.
Thus, the Friulane d’Oriente were born, styles that transform travel inspiration into elegant, original, and meaningful shoes.
Each Friulana in the collection represents a different destination, a different place, a different story.
Ayutthaya: the ancient capital of Siam
Located about eighty kilometers from Bangkok, Ayutthaya was the political, commercial, and cultural heart of the Kingdom of Siam for over four centuries.
Founded in the 14th century, the city became one of the most important centers in Asia, a crossroads of trade, religions, and cultures from around the world.
Even today, its historic park, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserves extraordinary testimonies to that past:
- monumental temples;
- ancient pagodas;
- decorations carved in stone;
- gilded statues;
- time-worn walls and bricks.
Walking among the ruins of Ayutthaya, you sense a special harmony between grandeur and decadence: the dark surfaces of the ancient bricks coexist with refined decorative details and the golden reflections that illuminate the temples at sunset.
It is precisely this contrast that captured our attention.
The inspiration behind the Friulana Ayutthaya
Every element of the shoe was born from observing the city.
The black background of the fabric recalls the centuries-old bricks of the temples, blackened by the passage of time and weather.
The golden decorations reinterpret the precious ornaments that embellish Thai architecture: floral motifs, symmetrical geometries, and decorative details that recount centuries of history and spirituality.
A close look at the shoe's fabric reveals references to the decorative forms found in Ayutthaya's religious complexes, reworked in an elegant and contemporary way.
This is not simply an ornamental pattern.
It is a textile reinterpretation of a real place.
A little story to wear.
Silk: the heart of the Batik collection
For a collection inspired by the Orient, we could only begin with the most precious and representative material of those lands.
The Friulane d'Oriente are made using fine silk from Southeast Asia, selected for the quality of its weave, the depth of its colors, and the richness of its workmanship.
Silk enhances every detail of the design:
- it enhances color contrasts;
- it gives natural luminosity to embroidery;
- it restores depth to decorative geometries;
- it gives the shoe a refined and distinctive look.
The result is an elegant, lightweight Friulana rich in personality, capable of combining tradition and modernity.
From the East to Milan: A Meeting of Cultures
One of the aspects that most fascinates us about the Batik collection is the meeting of different worlds.
On one hand, we find the Eastern tradition, made of precious fabrics, symbols, and ancient decorative techniques.
On the other, we find the Friulana, one of the most iconic footwear styles in Italian tradition, known for its comfort, lightness, and timeless style.
The union of these two worlds creates something new:
a shoe that retains the authentic character of the Friulana but is enriched with influences from faraway places.
It is a dialogue between cultures that passes through design, materials, and craftsmanship.
Puss in Boots and the Batik Journey
Those familiar with Pli-Pla Calzature know that our symbol is a cute Puss in Boots.
For the Batik collection, we imagined this little traveler setting out with backpack and passport to discover the world.
Every destination becomes a new source of inspiration.
Every city tells a story.
Every story transforms into a shoe.
Ayutthaya represents only the first chapter of this journey.
Other destinations are waiting to be told.
How to wear the Ayutthaya Friulana
Thanks to its black and gold tones, this style lends itself to numerous combinations.
It is perfect with:
- light linen trousers;
- clean-cut jeans;
- solid-colored dresses;
- minimalist outfits in neutral colors;
- elegant yet casual looks.
The gold details add character to even the simplest combinations, transforming the shoe into the true focal point of the outfit.
A Limited Edition for those who love to stand out
The Friulana Ayutthaya is more than just a shoe.
It's the story of a journey.
It's the meeting of the East and Italy.
It's the reinterpretation of an extraordinary city through fabrics, colors, and details.
For this reason, each style in the Batik collection is designed as a small special edition, dedicated to those seeking something different from the standard product and wanting to wear a story as well as a shoe.
Discover Batik – Le Friulane d’Oriente at Pli-Pla Calzature
If you love handcrafted shoes, fine materials, and the stories behind every detail, the Batik – Le Friulane d’Oriente collection is designed for you.
We look forward to seeing you at Pli-Pla Calzature in Milan or at our online shop to discover the first stop on this journey: Ayutthaya.
Because every shoe can take you far.
And this journey has just begun.