January 12, 2018 |
Couture-to-wear: is that a phrase? It should be and is quite appropriate when we introduce this next brand or, rather, atelier. Santoni is arguably the quality cobbler in Italy and, after 42 years, the father- then son-led handmade-footwear business now stands for impeccable product. This is next-level stuff: Porsche do cars, Santoni do high heels. This is just one of their key boots for autumn – make sure you have a look at the shorter bootie versions on the website, too. This particular style, in the plushest velvet we’ve seen – we’re talking beyond heavy and expensive – is surprisingly lightweight to wear. Indeed, the whole boot comes in at something ridiculously light, like a loaf of bread. Which leaves you, the wearer, to concentrate on more important things, as you’re not going to be distracted by an aching foot. You can bang on about how things look, but if the thing hurts or doesn’t fit or feels too heavy, then it’s not a good shoe. The men and women behind these boots and heels have been working with leather and suede and velvet for years and when one expert retires from the workshop, they train another. It’s part of the deal. No skills are lost and they maintain that impossibly high standard. Sadly, not all designer boot makers can say the same. Best just to leave that there…
Taken from the latest issue of 10, REBEL HEART, on newsstands now…
Collages by Betrayal Junkie
