10+ years ago, Frank Torres, a colleague from work, had suggested that I buy a single pair of hand crafted Italian shoes. His face lit up when speaking about his visit to Italy, visiting shoemakers and speaking of the quality of the product. I scoffed. “Do me a favor. Just do it.” So, I did as he suggested. And, I’ve never looked back. I slide on my shoes each morning and think of that short 3-4 minute conversation with Frank. The form fit and cushioning offers me a magic carpet ride through the stress packed days. Frank, if you’re out there and by some miracle you are reading this post, this clip is my thanks to you. While it’s not of an Italian shoemaker, it offered me similar inspiration. “Yes, Frank. You do get what you pay for.”
Barbora Veselá is London based footwear designer and maker. Her work reflects deep technical knowledge and creative competence. She likes to challenge classic shoe making techniques, yet use them with respect and celebrate its value. Playful and inquisitive thinking brought into old craftsmanship is what makes her work strong and unique. A special construction method has been developed and used across her collection. Multiple layers of leather scrap pieces are added on the last and subsequently sanded down to achieve the final shape and unique colour pattern of the shoe. More shoes displayed here. (Source: barbora vesela)
They look very unique. If they are as comfortable to wear as they are fashionable, I`d love to have a pair of those. Probably have to mortgage the house though, right?
I tried to find a seller to get price, no luck.
the things i learn on your blog. Wow! Thank you
I hadn’t ever seen this either Michael. Didn’t know how shoes were made. Amazing. Thank you.
This is so nice to watch handmade shoes… So precious… Thank you dear David, you are amazing. Love, nia
It was Nia. Thank you.
a magnificent craftsman and craft. daniel day lewis left acting for a couple of years to apprentice with an italian shoemaker to learn the art. i admire him very much for this.
I hadn’t known that about Daniel Day Lewis. That’s cool!
As I sit here applauding myself for being a self-taught knitter (and a bad one at that), I look at such artisanship with humility and more than a bit of awe.
It is awesome Mimi. I have a better appreciation of what I slide on each morning…
Lovley Video!
It is, thanks!
Who knew? This was mesmerizing to watch. Such craftsmanship and patience. I’m in awe too!
Exactly. Awesome.
Comfotable shoes make all the difference in the world. Believe me, I know. I had a job where I was on my feet all day and I’ve had foot surgery. Good shoes are worth every penny, even if you have to pay a whole lot of pennies for them.
So agree Darlene…
Wow! What gorgeous shoes! I love the cartological inspiration for the footwear (ingenious!) and I so admire the process of building something unique by hand. One of my clients is a group called the NH Furniture Masters (www.furnituremasters.org), essentially a guild of nearly two dozen fine furniture makers who make exquisite custom pieces, many using only hand tools. I marvel at what they create. And my husband does mechanical restorations on older Ferraris–another place where you see the beauty of craftsmanship and the touch of the maker’s hand in evidence everywhere. This is the stuff that feeds my soul…..
Lori, I too love watching furniture makers at work. Incredible craft. It is all soul lifting…
Works of art! I wouldn’t even want to wear them…I’d put them into a glass case or something. They’re like Cinderella shoes…or CinderFELLA shoes. Maybe that’s what I need…to buy a pair of Cinderfella shoes and then find a man worthy of wearing them. 🙂 Yes…it’s been a long day.
🙂 I’m sure the men would be lined up 10 deep.
Oh, riiiiiiight… 🙂
Oh, man. I *hate* buying shoes. They always *seem* to fit in the store, but *never* fit when I get them home. It is truly the bane of my existence. I’m putting this on my “If I Win the Lottery” list—a pair of handmade shoes.
🙂 I can’t say that I’ve had this problem Sandy…
Wow. Perhaps that’s why I didn’t go to Italy on my last trip.. I needed to know this first. How exquisite..
It is exquisite. I had no idea how hand crafted shoes were made either Makere.
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