With John Lobb and Edward Green, you probably had no complaints about your wardrobe—among the wealthy in Italy, it's common to have suits made locally but finish off the look with British shoes, and Edoardo was no exception. The question was based on that lifestyle.

"I thought that because I've been familiar with wearing British shoes for so long, there was something I could do."

The skin stitching and hand-dyeing exude a sense of craftsmanship. And the nine-tenths construction with Black Rapido—Edoardo's answer was to combine classical forms and designs with the spirit of Italian artisanship.




The intention behind it became clear to me immediately after seeing the sample and actually putting my feet in. The skin stitching and hand-dyeing were understated touches that showed respect for the base design, and when I slipped my feet in, they molded to my feet like well-worn shoes. The casting, with the design (the main actor) playing a supporting role, and the fit that you can't expect from Goodyear welted shoes, are simply superb.

A new Italian classic—Italians are opening the next page in shoe history, a history laid by the British. Edoardo's answer certainly suggested this possibility, but that wasn't his only motivation. There was also another reason: the desire to revitalize the region.


"Vigevano was once a shoe-making center that Italy was proud of. Famous brands flocked to this place. But those days are long gone. With the emergence of countries with lower labor costs, Vigevano declined rapidly. For me, having stepped into the world of shoes to some extent, what was happening before my eyes was frustrating and heartbreaking. In fact, it was the Giardini family who first established a shoe factory in this area. That was in 1898."

Edoardo partnered with a small workshop that had been dropped by luxury brands, a place where the spirit of old-fashioned artisanism still thrived.


"Seeing the muscular hands and bent backs of the craftsmen sewing stitch by stitch, a strong feeling welled up within me that this craft must be preserved."

The manufacturing process that began in this way has greatly boosted morale on the factory floor. And rightly so. While negotiations had been dominated by the question of whether the price could be lowered by another euro, Edoardo said he would spare no expense as long as they produced a good product.

This is exactly what patronage means. Now I understand why Italy became a country of artisans.

Photo: Keita Takahashi
Text: Kei Takegawa

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