When you think about all of the different leather options/materials that are available when making a shoe, you begin to realize that it is really quite mind boggling how many millions of combinations could take place. Take a saddle shoe for example, like the one above by Scarpe di Bianco. For a traditional saddle, you generally have either 3 or 4 pieces of leather whereby the saddle and heel counter (in this case there isn’t one) match in leather/color and the vamp and quarter match in another leather/color. So looking at the shoe presented, imagine how many different variations could take place, just on the saddle, let alone the vamp and quarter areas. And I really feel that it is an absolute art being able to pick out the best possible options to not only make the best looking shoe, but also one that many people will like and want to buy. This has probably been my biggest challenge in regards to my line, trying to create color combinations that I feel separate me from every other designer, yet not going too extreme so that I don’t become considered ‘trendy’ or ‘fashiony.’ It’s a fine line, I tell you…. But I do quite like this model here as I feel that pebble grain leather often goes overlooked, yet can produce such a beautiful shoe that can stand the test of time…..�
Reader Interactions
Comments
Today’s Favorites – Scarpe Di Bianco Loafers
While I own a bunch of loafers already, I recently am quite obsessed with the idea of more traditional looking loafers, and owning them. Not that these models are necessarily traditional, but they offer that ‘classic with a modern look’ feel, as well as offering nice shapes, colors and designs. Having never seen Scarpe Di Bianco in person, due to their newness in the industry, I am quite curious of them. From looking at them, they seem to be your run-of-the-mill high-end Italian makers, offering a black-stitched or goodyear welted sole, with some good quality upper leather. This makes me quite curious of the price though, which I assume will probably be in the $600-$800’s. Don’t quote me on that, but hearing that they are ex-Sutor Mantellassi gents who started it, I would imagine that they came into the industry at a lower price (to maybe low-ball Sutor which will set you back $900+). Regardless, their look is very Italian, which on some shoes is great, but others is not. For these loafers, I quite like the ‘Italianess’ of them though, as I believe that Italian gentleman have mastered the art of the loafer.
Reader Interactions
Comments
-
Nice post, their color finish and patina look great. Though the models have a few little flaws I myself not prefer in a shoe. For example they seem quite wide and not as versatile as other models out there like Markowski for example. I don’t have any pair of shoes by french makers but this brand is definitely going to change that!! 🙂
-
Julio – Thanks for the comment! I am in need of some French shoes myself!!
-Justin, “The Shoe Snob”
-
i want to bring sian shoes and georges shoes to texas to my store,do they have an email?,and by the way beautiful blogsite
-
Joseph – Glad that you enjoy the blog!
George’s contact is: [email protected]
Saion, I could not find as the website is entirely in Japanese. Sorry.
Best of luck!
-Justin, “The Shoe Snob”
-
I WANT A PAIR!
-
AFJ – Me too!! Except I want about 5 pairs!
-Justin, “The Shoe Snob”
-
These shoes are like artwork. Beautiful to look at, and functionality
-
fyi if anyone was looking for a pair of di biancos (http://the-shoe-snob.blogspot.com/2011/03/todays-favorites-scarpe-di-bianco.html), i got the chance to see them in person while on holiday in miami and they look very nice. their locker stock program sells online for $895 a pair and will produce another run in feburary. i was told this by the guy at the damiani flagship store
Join the Discussion
Today’s Favorites – Scarpe Di Bianco
While I am not crazy about the burnishing job that Scarpe Di Bianco did on the toes and heels, I do love the fact that they darkened the leather where the brogueing takes place. This feature provides a great way to accentuate the brogue and while this might be quite loud for some, I find it to be something that will help differentiate the model from all of the other full-brogues that would look exactly like it, had it not been darkened.
Reader Interactions
Comments
-
Yeah, the toes and heels look unnecessarily convoluted. Gorgeous color though, and it would be perfect if brown, or even burnt orange suede was used instead where the spots are.
do chestnut and cream
Justin,
I don’t particularly like pebble grain leather but the subtlety of two varing shades of the same colour is what I suggested to you in reply to your post of 6th March – “Some more JF prototypes”
It seems that a potential market demand for it has been identified.
Regards,
Snapper
Snapper – I see what you are saying now….I will have to take that into consideration….thanks for sharing, as always.
-Justin