A common misconception in this world is that most brands make their own shoes. WRONG! On the contrary, most brands have lesser known factories produce their shoes for them. Silvano Sassetti happens to be one of these factories, one of the finest in Italy who has been producing shoes for the likes of many large and famous labels around the world since the mid-nineties. Having learned to make shoes from a master craftsmen in his teenage years, Silvano, with much hard work and dedication, grew to become a respectable shoemaker himself in 1977 with the opening of his personal label and small workshop. Continuing with his passion and determination, 1996 marked the year that Silvano was able to turn his small workshop into a respectable size factory in the village of Monte San Pietrangeli located in the Marche region of Italy. Today, the factory still stands and the magic of making beautiful shoes, continues!
The Sassetti family has thus grown from the work of just Silvano to the addition of his two son’s, Emanuele and Andrea who now oversee the creation of new ideas in styling and design. Together the three of them create the entire collection which includes shoes made by all of the various types of constructions: Classic Goodyear Welt, Norwegian, Black Stitched, Blake Rapid, Tubular Moccasin, Bologna and Cement. On top of all of these constructions, Silvano Sassetti also managed to create and patent a construction of his own, The Goodyear Flex. This takes the classic Goodyear construction that is usually very stiff in the beginning and allows it to be flexible from the first wear, creating immediate comfort and wear-ability. Another added value of the company is the de-coloring and re-coloring of their shoes (as you will see in the picture above, right), thus allowing each shoe to have it’s own unique patina.
The Sassetti label makes shoes for the likes of: Ralph Lauren’s Purple Label, Zegna’s Zefer Label, Faconnable (France), Nordstrom (Silvano Sassetti Label) and Silvano Sassetti for Bergdorf Goodman. Their shoes are also found under the Sassetti label at various boutiques around Japan and used to make shoes for the likes of Tom Ford and Tod’s. You can see that their range was vast and will only continue to get bigger and their Sassetti label becomes more known around the world. Directly below I have added a few of the shoes that you can find currently as various Nordstrom locations around the US as well as some others that are from upcoming and past collections. Their shoes are very comfortable, stylish and well made and if you are an avid shoe lover, than I suggest you find yourself a pair. You won’t regret it!!
Here are some others that are from new and older collections:
Silvano certainly seems to produce a wide range of beautiful shoes(although I;m not too sure about the crumpled boots!), and I’m certainly intrigued at their “Goodyear Flex” collection.
On another point, I have always believed that Purple Label shoes are produced by Edward Green, or is it a case of several manufacturers for one line?
Yea, they are not my thing either but at least thought that I would present ‘the range’ of shoes that they can make. About the Purple Label shoes; it must be several manufacturers for one line, this also takes place in the world of shoes and clothes. You never know where something is really coming from. I believe that Dolce & Gabbana have their shoes made by several different factories as well. Could be that Edward Green did it and now Sassetti does. In all honesty though, I really don’t know about the Edward Green involvement, just that Sassetti is the current maker. Contracts always change. Paul Stuart shoes just changed hands too.
Just picked up a pair of Sassetti ‘Passo’ today. It is my FIRST ever real dress shoe purchase. Up until now, I was wearing Steve Madden types of garbage shoes. I am graduating law school this year and it is about time that I become a man! I was having trouble trying to pick between Sassetti’s ‘Passo’ and Allen Edmonds’ ‘Strand’ and Gucci’s ‘Marvin’. After buying the Sassetti’s because of their comfort, I came home and did some research and found this blog! I haven’t been able to stop reading for hours now. I hope I made the right choice by going with the Sassettis!
SK – I am truly glad to hear that you graduated from Steve Madden shoes to Sassetti. You did make a good choice, well done!! Am glad that you also discovered the blog and are hopefully learning some valuable things from it. Let me know how the Sassetti’s treat you.
-Justin
Buongiorno signori,
Io sono un cliente vostro che vive ora in America. Apprezzo molto i vostri modi di fare les scarpe. Sto cercando di trovare un modello che avevo già comprato in Italia nell’anno 2000 ma che non lo trovò più. Il modello è n•2i6094 scarpe da uomo, colore marrone, taglia 43-44.
Grazie di me fare sapere se lo posso ordinare da voi direttamente .