Matthew Chevallard has been a collector since childhood, starting with Oakley sunglasses and soccer jerseys and evolving to sneakers and art. When he was just 19, he founded Del Toro, a luxury footwear brand specializing in shoes and accessories made in his native Italy.

Through Del Toro, Chevallard developed a strong connection with the art world, releasing a variety of collaborations with artists including Daniel Arsham, Rob Pruitt, Katherine Bernhardt, and Richard Woods. He sold Del Toro after 14 years and, in 2019, Chevallard launched two new luxury brands, Blu Scarpa and Concetto Limone.

In 2017, while working in tandem on his footwear ventures, Chevallard founded his Miami gallery The Office. to showcase emerging artists such as Thrush Holmes, Adam Rabinowitz, and Eduardo Sarabia.

“As a child, I had an undying passion for art, but I really deep dived into it after I started Del Toro,” Chevallard said. “Simply put, I view art as a rite of passage for sneakerheads.”

One of the first pieces Chevallard ever collected was a KAWS Spongebob print, which he purchased on eBay during college. Since then, he’s gained a more profound understanding of past and present art movements, citing the Italian Arte Povera movement and textile-based art as his favorite genres.

We caught up with Chevallard to hear about his favorite designer, what podcast he’s been listening to, and his favorite works available now on Artnet Galleries.

Matthew’s Favorite Things

Song: “China Cat Sunflower” by the Grateful Dead

TV show: Miami Vice

Food to eat for breakfast: Bagels

Emoji: 

Way to celebrate success: Vino

Project you’ve ever worked on: Blu Scarpa

 

Top Gallery Picks

 

Alighiero Boetti
Senza Titolo (MILLENOVECENTO SETTANTOTTO) (1978)

Courtesy of Robilant+Voena.

 

Lucio Fontana
Concetto spaziale, Attese (1966)

Courtesy of Tornabuoni Art.

 

Julian Opie
Paper Heads (2019)

Courtesy of Jonathan Novak Contemporary Art.

 

Carlos Cruz-Diez
Induction du Jaune (2006)

Courtesy of Ascaso Gallery.

 

Gerhard Richter
Bagdad (P10) (2014)

Courtesy of MLTPL.

 

Katherine Bernhardt
Nike Panther (Pink Panther) (2019)

Courtesy of Galerie Frank Fluegel.

 

Barbara Kruger
Untitled (The Brutal, Relentless, Joyful, Fearful, End of it All) (2014)

Courtesy of Guy Hepner.

 

Jeff Koons
Puppy, White Glazed Porcelain Vase With Original Box, Edition of 3000 (1998)

Courtesy of Collected Detroit.