Materials we happened to come across. A combination we had been wanting to try. A sudden wave of nostalgia sparked a revival.

Things we found ourselves wanting to create while chatting in the workshop. NEGRONI SIDE B is a limited-edition collection that brings such curiosities to life, one small batch at a time.

Sometimes radical, sometimes full of playfulness. In materials, colors, and combinations alike. The joy of the makers shines through more brightly than ever. It might be a little quirky, but it’s hard not to be intrigued. And it’s the kind of thing you’ll want to show off to someone.

Welcome to the B-side of Negroni.

IDEA CORSA / RED ARAMID CARBON FIBER 
Product Notes

— Black × Red.

To be honest, this is a color scheme I am always cautious about at Negroni.

It is a classic, go-to combination that has been used extensively in the world of motorsports for many years. I know that when used for shoes, it is bound to look refined and stylish. However, when I am creating something myself, I worry about whether I am just relying on that "guaranteed success."

If the color scheme finishes the job before I’ve carefully considered the materials and shapes, then isn't that a bit of a defeat for creativity?

　

That was when aramid carbon fiber was proposed to me.

Red aramid fibers and black carbon fibers are woven together, finished with a heavy, lustrous coating. The material itself is a striking black and red. At first, I put it on hold because of the color scheme, but it was a material that piqued my interest.

The luster has a rather intense, raw quality to it. Both the red and black are bold. Even though the color combination itself should be familiar, in this material, it looks strangely unfamiliar.

There was a strong desire from the workshop to try using it as well. They mentioned that it couldn't be cut without multiple passes through a cutting machine, and that sewing it would likely be a struggle. Even so, they wanted to make it. I understand why those who take on the extra effort are drawn to it. There is something about it—its difficulty included—that makes it impossible to ignore.

What I was wary of was that using black and red would make it too easy to look cool. But this material actually forces you to think about how to master it. The intensity of its fibers and luster cuts right through the comfort of a balanced color scheme. If you're going to go this far, it’s radical and interesting. If I'm going to use it, I want to preserve that raw edge.

We used this aramid carbon for the side emblem, paired with black suede on the upper side.

If you finish it in a glossy black, the unique character of the aramid carbon becomes muted. Because the suede has a soft, napped surface, the red and black fibers and the luster resting upon them are brought into sharp relief.

Of course, the red stitching feels familiar. However, on this particular pair,

it does a great job of toning down the abruptness of the materials. I’m honestly leaning into that strength here.

How to craft the black and red inherent to the materials themselves into a single pair?

Precisely because it’s a combination I would usually be cautious about, this time I wanted to take it a step further.

The first release from NEGRONI SIDE B,
IDEA CORSA / RED ARAMID CARBON FIBER 
is limited to an initial run of just 5 pairs.

Why not try this "distinctive" Idea Corsa, designed to ignite the passion of its wearer?

Production of the uppers has already begun, so we anticipate delivery within two weeks of your order.

Whether we continue to use this aramid carbon fiber in the future will depend on your feedback.

If you feel it’s "not radical enough," please let us know via DM.