I can hear the Naniwabushi music.

Currently, Alberto Guardiani has flagship stores in its hometowns of Milan and Naples, as well as in various countries around the world. In 1995, it established a new factory, employing 200 craftsmen and creating a system capable of producing 1,500 pairs of shoes per day.

The key to their success lies not only in their keen intuition for discovering the gold mine of luxury sports, but also in their refined approach. While the source of this refinement is the naturally rich Marche region, with its abundance of historical buildings and works of art, the most significant factor was their stoic pursuit of the belief that shoes are, above all, gear.


"We always prioritize functionality when it comes to manufacturing. For example, these boots, with neoprene around the shaft, are warm, waterproof, and comfortable to walk in."

From a functional standpoint, there's no room for ostentatious elements. Yet, a sensibility that appreciates contemporary art shines through, evident in the decorations displayed throughout the factory.

There's something captivating about Guardiani, like listening to a traditional Japanese ballad. His trajectory, deepening as he focused on luxury sports cars, is like that of an enka singer who keeps singing the same hit song, and everything he does is filled with the sense of duty and human kindness of a small business owner from the old days. He greeted me with a gentle smile when we first exchanged greetings, but it was striking how his expression and tone of voice became passionate as soon as the interview began.


Buyer Takashi Fukuda praises their dedication to research, saying, "They don't hesitate to tackle new materials." The sight of the company's management struggling on the factory floor is just like that of a local factory owner. But what made me think they were on a different scale was the following comment.

"I wanted to know what the future of the shoe industry would hold, so I visited various factories. I became convinced that the current production environment for shoes wouldn't change drastically. My mission is to pursue a streamlined system that allows artisans to thrive, following the established path."


The fact that they maintain their family business model even as they grow to become one of the largest companies in the industry is also noteworthy.

Alberto Guardiani's sister holds key positions in the manufacturing department, while his wife acts as his right-hand woman on the business side. His three daughters have also joined "Team Guardiani," with the two eldest already serving as the face of marketing.

"My third daughter has been building her career at a fashion company and has been working with me on design projects for the past three years. I could retire once she becomes fully independent."

Alberto, who will turn 63 this December, said with a smile that he'd like to go on a relaxing vacation soon, but that it's still not possible.

Text: Takegawa Keiji
Photo: Ozawa Tatsuya

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