Indeed, the Italians do have a reputation for making more affordable bespoke shoes. However, this doesn’t at all suggest that the quality is inferior. Tony has been handcrafting shoe for nearly 40 years after completing an apprenticeship with the prestigious HW Poole and Sons he led the team that won the contract to supply handmade boots for the Queens Household Cavalry. In bespoke shoe-making, the lasts are instead wooden moulds that are precisely shaped like the client’s feet based on the client’s measurements.

Not only is the manufacturing process extremely complex but bespoke shoemakers will only use leathers and materials to match the level of their craftsmanship. Therefore, even the most affordable leathers included in the price for bespoke shoes tend to be of impeccable quality. Trained in Italy by Angelo Imperatrice, Francis Waplinger then worked under Roberto Ugolini as his apprentice. Upon returning to the USA, he followed another apprenticeship with Pennsylvania-based Hungarian shoemaker, Marcell Mrsan.Traditionally, bespoke shoemakers will take your measurements by hand as well as drawing outlines of your feet on paper. You’ll then likely have an in-depth discussion on how you like to wear your shoes in terms of tightness. Another family business, Aubercy has been managed by three generations since it was founded in 1935. Today, Xavier Aubercy has proudly taken charge while his parents continue to work play a vital role in the workshop. Aubercy was even recently awarded the “Living Heritage Company” title by the French Republic. Celebrated shoemaker George Cleverley has been a family-operated business since it was founded in 1958. Today is managed by the father-and-son team of George Glasgow Sr and Jr. A last is basically a mould over which shoes are essentially sculpted when they are made. Even ready-to-wear shoe brands have lasts, which are shaped to their different standard sizes. Occasionally, there are different styles of last, which dictate the aesthetics of the shape too.

American Express Apple Pay Diners Club Discover Google Pay Maestro Mastercard Shop Pay Union Pay Visa Now that you have read about the best bespoke shoe brands and what they offer, feel free to explore our other related guides: I absolutely enjoyed reading the articles on Italian shoemaking. I recently started purchasing Italian shoes and wanted to know more about their craftsmanship. This informative article was a GREAT read indeed.

What Next?

While the client can customise and request different leathers, it’ll only be for other skins of equal or superior quality. Truly exceptional bespoke shoemakers such as Gaziano Girling may sometimes charge more. The reasons for this vary but it can be due to their own base construction techniques, selection of materials, or even simply their reputation and demand. However, you are now probably aware that it is also very expensive and justifiably so. Consequently, why should someone invest in bespoke shoes?