I do love a two tone shoe, that’s no secret. I do also love a traditional co-respondent (spectator) as well. The problem is that too often the co-respondent is the version that everyone goes for when thinking of a proper two toned shoe. But what about the person that wants that feel but not necessarily the traditional 5 piece full brogue or 4 piece adelaide? What do they do? Well, usually it involves going MTO, which is most likely always going to be the case and even though this shoe is no exception it sure is nice to see something here that is a bit different, courtesy of Mr. Antonio Pio Mele. Signore Mele is a bespoke shoemaker out of Milan, Italy for those that are not yet clued up, which I can imagine would the majority as he still does not have a website of his own….a true artisan of the 20th century! Either way, if you are ever in Milan and fancy seeing some beautiful shoes such as this lovely, I suggest you look him up via the countless blogs that have written about him. And if you are feeling bold, maybe you can spruce up your wardrobe with a co-respondent that you can bet, no one else will have!
I hope that everyone had a lovely Christmas/Day Off (for those that don’t celebrate) and are getting ready for a brilliant New Year!
Sincerely,
Justin, “The Shoe Snob”
A truly beautiful shoe! The combined beauty of the monk and the spectator! Lovely shoe.
Antonio Pio Mele is a nightmare of a shoemaker. He made two pairs of shoes that were 1.5 size larger. He tried to save the situation by inserting insoles. Seriously he inserted 7-8 insoles and the shoe was still huge… Talking about bespoke…
He then promised to make the shoes again. Very kind of him I thought. (Btw the shoes were fully paid)
But alas he subsequently disappeared never responding to emails and phone calls. Two times I managed to get him on the phone and he was full of lame excuses: a family problem, a problem with his hand, the dog ate the homework etc….
1.5 years later I lost hope…. And seized to call him and resigned to accept that I will receive no shoes…
Now dear Justin you gave me the opportunity to inform the world about him….
P.S. Contrary to Antonio’s shoes your black boots arrived and I am enjoying them.
ghastly.. i have never seen an uglier mens shoe…
Ivnt: just read the discussion..I had the same experience with him “nightmare of shoemaker” gives the idea of his work. Seeing the models in his shop (not made by him actually) let me thought how good he was. But after trying him, I would never, ever return to go bespoke with him again.
Had the same problem with the large shoes, he inserted various insoles and at the end the result was very bad. Hope people will not fall (or suffer) into his hands
thanks for sharing