These shoes, specially prepared for the ISETAN Shoe Fair, are made from rare exotic leathers. The intense individuality of each leather brings both elegance and a wild edge to men's feet.

Gaziano & Girling

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This leather, also known as galuchat, is from a stingray. The granular surface that becomes visible when the leather is sanded gives it the impression of being studded with jewels. The company's high level of shoemaking skill is evident in its use of this hard and difficult-to-handle leather in a wholecut design. It features the smart "DECO" last with a square toe.

Stefano Bemer

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Stefano Bemer, the shoemaker known as the "master of leather," has passed away, but his tradition continues through the hands of the craftsmen in his workshop. This full brogue, made from the leather of the kudu, an African bovine animal not very well known in Japan, is a quintessential example of the brand. The leather, with its many wrinkles and uneven textures and matte finish, is best described as having a wild, rustic feel.

These Chelsea boots, crafted by a master craftsman in Bologna, Italy, are made from ostrich and elephant leather. Because the factory incorporates many handcrafted elements, they are able to create shoes that showcase the unique characteristics of ostrich leather—with its evenly distributed quill marks—and elephant leather—with its wild, interwoven wrinkles.




A leading shoe manufacturer from Marche, Italy. To further accentuate the elegant last silhouette that is a characteristic of their shoes, they use python and crocodile leather. The combination of calfskin, which is colored with an antique-like unevenness, and python and crocodile leather, which dances in various ways due to the uneven surface, is truly excellent.





This Spanish brand from Mallorca, known for its sturdy Goodyear welted shoes, specializes in various precious leathers. These Chelsea boots feature generous amounts of lizard (available in 8 colors) and python (available in 3 colors).




The "Michael" is a signature Tyrolean shoe from the brand. While various types of leather have been used for the apron portion in the past, this time rabbit fur has been adopted. This men's version of the model, originally a women's shoe, features soft, long fur that gives the otherwise sturdy shoe a gentle look.




This is an original brand from a manufacturer located in the Veneto region of Italy. Their material selection reflects their diverse and skillful shoemaking, having also produced shoes for many well-known brands. For this collection, they've chosen materials commonly used in women's wear, such as astrakhan and eel skin. They've deliberately combined different colors of eel skin.



This shoe manufacturer is based in the La Mancha region of Spain. They have introduced shoes made with crocodile and lizard leather, utilizing their signature "Opanka construction" method. They are also renowned for the beauty of their hand-finishing, with their high-top sneakers featuring a yellow python leather upper being a prime example.



Made in their own factory in Hiroshima, these vulcanized shoes are known worldwide. Their sneakers, featuring materials embossed with crocodile or python patterns, or printed with leopard prints, have a distinctly pop aesthetic. They seem perfect for a light and breezy look.


DARMI is a shoe brand backed by Heng Long, a company that boasts the top market share in crocodile leather tanning. Their comfortable sneakers, made with carefully selected materials, possess a truly unique presence. The vibrant colors are also a major draw.

Photo: Toru Oshima
Illustrations: Taku Itoh
Text: Yukihiro Sugawara