Ricky Sarkany

Ricky Sarkany
Name	Ricky Sarkany
Birth name	Ricardo Sarkany
Birth date	1954
Birth place	Buenos Aires
Nationality	Argentina
Occupation	Fashion designer
Years active	1980–present
Spouse	María Victoria Foley

Ricky Sarkany is an Argentine footwear designer and entrepreneur known for founding a prominent shoe brand and for his influence on Latin American fashion retail. He established a signature label that expanded throughout Argentina and into neighbouring markets, becoming associated with celebrity collaborations, retail franchising, and luxury lifestyle positioning. His work intersects with international design trends, Argentine cultural institutions, and commercial developments in Buenos Aires and beyond.

Early life and education

Born in Buenos Aires to a family of Lebanese descent, he grew up in a milieu connected to local commerce and artisanal traditions. He studied design-related subjects and apprenticed in artisanal workshops before relocating to the United States for further exposure, including periods in Miami and New York City. Early contacts linked him to retailers and designers from Milan, Paris, and São Paulo, which informed his professional network and vocational trajectory.

Career

He launched his eponymous footwear label in the early 1980s, opening flagship stores in Buenos Aires and later establishing outlets across Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile. His brand expanded through partnerships with franchise groups, department stores such as Falabella and mall developers including Eldorado Shopping, combining retail strategy with celebrity endorsements. Over decades he collaborated with Argentine public figures and entertainers from the worlds of television, film, and music, positioning the brand within lifestyle and pop culture circuits. The company diversified into accessories and apparel while engaging with supply chains that included manufacturers in Brazil and logistics hubs linked to Miami International Airport.

Design style and influences

His aesthetic blends glamour, artisanal craftsmanship, and theatrical ornamentation, drawing inspiration from Buenos Aires nightlife, the heritage of Tango, and international couture houses in Milan and Paris. He cites influences from historic ateliers and modern runway practices seen at Milan Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, and regional showcases like Bafweek. Collections often reference costume traditions from Teatro Colón performances, celebrity red-carpet styling, and footwear legacies exemplified by brands based in New York City and London.

Business ventures and brands

Beyond the core footwear label, he developed lifestyle sub-brands and retail concepts, collaborating with local entrepreneurs and multinational retailers. He pursued licensing deals and opened boutiques in high-traffic shopping centres and luxury precincts, negotiating with landlords and franchise partners associated with groups such as IRSA and major Argentine department store chains. His enterprise engaged with marketing firms, talent agencies representing television personalities and models from Buenos Aires Fashion Week, and event producers staging runway shows in venues like Puerto Madero and prominent hotels.

Awards and recognition

His contributions to Argentine fashion earned industry recognition, including mentions in national fashion awards and acknowledgements from trade bodies and cultural institutions. He received commendations from municipal and provincial entities in Buenos Aires Province and civil society groups highlighting entrepreneurship and design. Press coverage in leading Argentine newspapers and magazines connected his brand with broader conversations about creative industries and small-to-medium enterprise development.

Personal life

He is married to María Victoria Foley and is a father of three. His family life intersects with the cultural and business scenes of Buenos Aires, where they participate in social events tied to art, theatre, and commerce. He maintains residences and business offices in the Argentine capital and keeps international ties through frequent travel to New York City, Miami, and design centres in Milan and São Paulo.

Philanthropy and public activities

He has supported charitable initiatives related to healthcare, cultural preservation, and disaster relief, collaborating with foundations and civic organisations active in Buenos Aires and across Argentina. He has contributed to fundraising galas with institutions such as performing arts organisations at Teatro Colón and charity events involving celebrities from television and film. Public engagements include speaking at business forums and participating in panels on entrepreneurship linked to chambers of commerce and trade associations in the region.

Category:Argentine fashion designers Category:People from Buenos Aires