MAKING HUSBANDS #2 : THE SHOES

Our shoes are made in a workshop founded in 1909 in Vigevano, an Italian town in the province of Lombardy. For 112 years they have been hand-producing some of the most beautiful shoes for the most renowned houses. It is a family business, today run by two brothers, the founder’s great-grandchildren.

THE HAND

The hand of the craftsman is at the centre of the shoes’ construction. The factory in Vigevano has managed to preserve the handcrafted way of assembling its shoes. The craftsmen cut each piece of leather and assemble the sole by hand. The factory is known to offer the most beautiful blake stitching in Italy. This process, which is not automated, ensures a clean and regular stitching of the sole.

THE MATERIAL

The choice of leather used is of great importance. A wide variety of leathers is used: box-calf, kid leather, patent calf. Each hide is selected by hand. The yoke of the leather pieces requires know-how and care, as each part is chosen to meet precise specifications. Some moccasins are made of goatskin to give them a particular softness and texture. However zip-up boots are made of box-calf, a full grain leather, smooth and very sturdy. All the leathers used come from traditional tanneries from southern France to northern Italy.