Oronzo De Matteis was born on 18 August 1976 in Rheine, Germany, to parents from Salento and Calabria. He spent his childhood near Düsseldorf, a city renowned for international trade fairs like the GDS International Shoe Fair. At just five or six years old, a walk through the city with his father—a specialised weaver—sparked his lifelong fascination with fashion. The elegance of the business crowd attending the fair left a lasting impression, and from that moment, he dreamt of becoming a shoe designer.
In 2000, Oronzo moved to San Mauro Pascoli, the heart of Italian luxury footwear. There, he worked with major brands such as Sergio Rossi, Gucci Group, Baldinini, Bruno Magli, YSL, Alexander McQueen, Borbonese, and Bottega Veneta.
His career took a major step forward in 2004 when he participated in the 5th edition of “A Talent for the Shoe,” an international competition hosted by CERCAL Shoe Academy, founded by Sergio Rossi. Competing against 200 emerging designers, Oronzo created a white satin shoe adorned with 350 Swarovski crystals, designed around the theme “At the Grand Ball with Cinderella.” This experience solidified his path. He formally trained at CERCAL, followed by advanced international courses in design, pattern-making, leather studies, and manual cutting—skills he believes are fundamental to mastering footwear design.
Inspired by his father’s craftsmanship and a formative internship at Tranceria Taglio Pellami di Maurizio Modigliani, Oronzo developed a strong passion for working with leather. He credits his hands-on training with shaping his identity as a designer, stating: “I love the cut. For me, it’s life.”
The turning point in his career came with his role at Sergio Rossi, later acquired by the Gucci Group. Over three years, he absorbed the full process of luxury shoe production—learning the planning, technical development, and meticulous construction that define true Made in Italy quality. For Oronzo, creating a shoe is like building a home: “If the foundations are perfect, the house won’t collapse.”
In 2005–2006, he joined Bruno Magli, taking on a technical role and overseeing the entire production process. He later moved to Bologna, travelling frequently between San Mauro Pascoli, Rome, Milan, and Florence. He also briefly collaborated with Baldinini, but soon shifted focus to his own brand.
From 2004 to 2007, Oronzo launched his own label—OROORO Brand Luxury—under which he introduced collections using the names OROORO, ORORO, and Oronzo De Matteis. His luxury designs were distributed in exclusive boutiques across Europe and internationally.
In 2009, he debuted at AltaRoma AltaModa, entering the world of Italian haute couture. His elegant, timeless footwear earned him the nickname “Designer of the Divas.” After his debut on the catwalk, he transitioned into cinema—designing shoes for films, TV shows, and major red-carpet events, beginning with the Venice Film Festival.
In 2012, Oronzo was honoured with the title Master of Art by the Camera della Moda. He began leading fashion masterclasses and workshops around the world. In 2013, he became a partner and sponsor of major fashion events, particularly in the wedding industry.
His signature collections include Gold Edition Limited, Desiderium, Timeless Endless Edition, Luxury Dream of a Queen, and Positive Sneakers. His work has been featured in publications such as Vogue Italia, Rendez-Vous de la Mode, Book Moda Haute Couture, Luxury Magazine, Randshau, and Asia Wedding Network.
In 2015, Oronzo expanded further into film and TV, collaborating with top costume designers and dressing renowned actresses for major productions.
In 2017, he joined the NO VIOLENCE project in Rome, supporting the fight against violence towards women.
In 2018, he signed his first licensing deal with an Asian investor from Silicon Valley, expanding into Southeast Asia. Despite the global reach, production remains strictly Made in Italy, reinforcing the value and quality of the brand.
2019 & 2022: London Fashion & Lifestyle Awards – Best Luxury Women’s Footwear Brand (Italy)
2022 & 2023: CEO of the Year (Global recognition)
2022: Appointed Jury Member – Global Footwear Awards
2023: Innovation & Excellence Awards – Luxury Shoe Brand of the Year
2023: Prestige Awards (Southern Europe) – Luxury Shoe Brand of the Year
