Dean Fortunato started Dini's Los Angeles after reading an article in the New York Times about Havaianas being included in the gift bags at the academy awards. As an actor--Broadway ("Twilight of the Golds"), film ("Bad Boys"), TV (ER, Seinfeld)--Dean often had time on his hands between assignments. He decided to buy some Havaianas and experiment with some design concepts. At first, he embellished the shoes with crystals and studs and gave them to some of his friends. They begged for more! Then he introduced them at a trendy open-air market in
Hollywood . A top
L.A. fashion rep walked up to his table to check out his line. She slipped a pair of "Dini's" on her feet and said, " Kid...I could make your shoes a star." As they say, the rest is history.
Who Made My Shoes?
by Susan Larik
Finding quality personnel can be a challenge for young businesses. When Dean Fortunato started Dini's
Los Angeles four years ago, he needed help attaching jewels to his trademark jeweled flip-flops. So, he did what many new entrepreneurs do, he hired his friends to assist him. Lucky for him, his friends were members of a local, over-qualified, and largely untapped network of talent: other unemployed actors. Now boasting a line that can be found in over 450 retail stores worldwide, Fortunato continues to hire almost exclusively from this group. Although the employees are typically "between assignments" when they work for him, most members of his crew are college-educated, and their combined resumes to date boast appearances in dozens of movies and Prime Time television shows, over a hundred commercials, and several hundred theatrical productions from Southern California to Broadway. --It sort of begs the question, "Who made my shoes?"
TESTIMONIALS
"I love these flip flops so much that I told my husband that I want to be buried in them!"
A.C.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
"I am a professional tennis player looking for a few Dini's LA flip flops. I love Dini's and would love to wear Dini's to my tournaments and also to my off court press interviews."
Amber Liu
Dana Point, California
"Thank you for fulfilling my order so quickley and also replacing the lost stones. You make doing business with your company so easy. I appreciate your prompt attention and care for all of my orders! I love wearing Dini's. You are a sweetie! Thanks again."
K.G.
Long Beach, California
"You are totally sweet and awesome. Thank you so much for all your help, I really appreciate the GREAT service."
Donna
Las Vegas, Nevada
"Once again, thanks for the great flip flops. I have been buying them for two years now and just bought a few pairs (chains) at a local shop and they ran out of sizes for me and my daughter! The skulls and chains are awesome this year!"
A.G.
Ambler, Pennsylvania
"Thanks for the cute shoes!"
D.Y.
New York, New York
"Thanks for finding a pair of the gold dragon flip flops. I love them!"
S.F.
Chicago, Illinois
