EXCLUSIVE: ‘There’s not going to be any bust-ups down Sugar Hut!’ Mario Falcone launches his own trainer line… but rules out a rivalry with ‘amazing’ designer and co-star Tommy Mallet
He left his career in tailoring to devote himself to TOWIE.
Yet Mario Falcone is returning to his fashion roots, as he prepares to launch his own line of trainers, Belvotti Milano, following in the footsteps of his former co-star Tommy Mallet, who has a wildly successful eponymous shoe line.
Despite cantankerous behaviour on-screen during his TOWIE stint, the hunky star, 32, insists there will be no rows between the duo, as he only sees the designer, 28, as ‘inspiring’ and lauded his ‘amazing’ success.
Pals: Yet Mario Falcone is returning to his fashion roots, as he prepares to launch his own line of trainers, Belvotti Milano, following in the footsteps of his former co-star Tommy Mallet, who has a wildly successful eponymous shoe line (pictured in 2015)
Mario shot to fame in 2013, when he entered TOWIE in its 2013 series as his then-girlfriend Lucy Mecklenburgh, before leaving in 2015 with sporadic returns since.
After his lothario ways were documented on the show, alongside Lucy’s intermittent flings with Mark Wright, he has since found last love with his make-up artist and salon owner fiancée Becky Miesner, with whom he shares son Parker, two.
In his latest venture, Mario is now entering the shoe world, as he revealed last year’s lockdown helped him focus on his collection.
On his passions and how the line came to fruition, he said: ‘Fashion has always been a big part of my life, having worked previously as a tailor, but over the past few years I’ve moved away from it, especially since Parker came along…
Inspired: Despite cantankerous behaviour on-screen during his TOWIE stint, the hunky star, 32, insists there will be no rows between the duo, as he only sees the designer, 28, as ‘inspiring’ and lauded his ‘amazing’ success
Coming soon! In his latest venture, Mario is now entering the shoe world, as he revealed last year’s lockdown helped him focus on his collection
‘Since the lockdown last year however it gave me much more time to concentrate on what’s most important and makes me happy. It’s a project I’ve wanted to do for a long time but 2020 gave me the headspace to make Belvotti Milano a reality.’
Tommy made his designing dreams a reality when he launched his eponymous trainer line in 2015, with the swanky trainers now retailing in Selfridge’s.
Speaking of the similarities, Mario insisted: ‘What Tommy has achieved is amazing! He’s definitely more inspiration than a rival…
Amazing! Speaking of the similarities, Mario insisted: ‘What Tommy has achieved is amazing! He’s definitely more inspiration than a rival’ (pictured in 2015)
‘Essex might be a small place but there’s more than enough space in this market for us both…there’s certainly not going to be any bust-ups down Sugar Hut. I think Tommy will really like what I’m trying to do.’
On the line, he said: ‘Belvotti Milano is my way to showcase the creativity I’ve always obtained through my tailoring work and focus it into making aspirational trainers at a price point that still makes them accessible…
‘For me, it’s all about a design which is on trend, without conforming to something you’d stereotypically expect.’
His love: After his lothario ways were documented on the show, alongside Lucy’s intermittent flings with Mark Wright, he has since found last love with his make-up artist and salon owner fiancée Becky Miesner, with whom he shares son Parker, two