Antonio Pio Mele - bespoke for the kids

I sampled two pairs of bespoke children's shoes by Master Antonio Pio Mele in exotic hide. The shoes look so adorable, a good start with bespoke shoes for the young man, whoever he is. Wear them in good health. Master Antonio well done.

Master Antonio in a  Chesterfield sofa chair and enjoying a puff from the cigar.

A blue "blind" full brogue made of crocodile for a baby boy I assume. Very nice, a good pair of bespoke shoes to start life with.

 A brown pair of derby's for a kid made of exotic hide. Very cute. Nice touch.

Photos sourced from Antonio Pio Mele's FB profile.

Antonio Pio Mele - Surprises

Master Antonio P. Mele does some wonders with his creations. Well no need to introduce him as his work speaks for itself.

 A riding boot for an Aristocrat or Royal client in exotic leather.

 Side laced whole cut oxford in exotic leather

A lady shoe, now this shoe makes me go, wow!

Photos sourced from the cyberspace

Dandy Shoe Care - The patina god (part I)

For days I was thinking about how does one become a patina artist and how does the collaboration between patina artist and shoemaker come to be? I suppose the patina artist will have a background and some training in art (painter), so he/she will transform from canvas to leather. But still...how does he/she go to a bespoke shoemaker and say "I can put some extravagance and individuality into the shoes you make for your clients." Well anyway to much of thinking.....

Below I have sampled a tassel loafer made by bespoke shoemaker Master Antonio Pio Mele (Italy), who then collaborated with Master Patina maker Alexander Nurulaeff (Dandy Shoe Care) to produce this amazing patina on the loafer. Now the patina takes the loafer to new levels, very - very elegant and pleasing to the eye. 

There is only ONE - Dandy Shoe Care - and his work is amazing.

The loafer is the work of Master Antonio P. Mele, the patina art by Master Nurulaeff.

Details of the colouring so well balanced

More details revealing the passion and respect for colours put into the hide

Below a strapped Norwegian monk by Master Antonio Pio Mele before the patina and after

the patina artist laid his DNA

Here the difference can be clearly seen, the shoe gets a different vibration after being handled by the patina artist.

A whole cut oxford magnificently, the patina artistically renditioned by Master Nurulaeff

 The toe is mesmerising, beautiful flow from greenish-blue to very dark navy/black by Master Nurulaeff.

Photos sourced from Dandy Shoe Care Tumblr, 

Antonio Pio Mele shoes and boots

In our digital world of today some artisans and craftsmen / ladies tend to take lots of attention and credit, whilst others remain unknown despite their trade and very high skills. Milan (Italy) has a hidden treasure in the person of Mr. Antonio Pio Mele bespoke boot and shoe maker, who is born into a family of bespoke shoe artisans and factory owners, he started to make bespoke shoes from an early age of seventeen. A call for him. 

Mr. A. P. Mele produces between 150 to 180 pairs of bespoke shoes per year for both ladies and gentlemen. The production lead time is between four to six months.
Please view the below crafts and determine yourself, a true hidden gem in the heart of Milan (Italy).  Very beautiful pieces of art.

Master bespoke boot and shoemaker Mr. Antonio Pio Mele in person, red trousers, tan double breasted jacket 6 button, closure four, pocket square, burgundy socks to the burgundy tassel loafers. A million dollar look. Looking dapper.

Crocodile riding boot

Crocodile side laced whole cut, crocodile belt and crocodile wallet

Russian reindeer adelaide oxford 

Tassel loafer in Russian reindeer leather

Two toned single monk, update here (the patina is the work of Dandy Shoe Care)

Green suede pump / opera shoe with a black bow

Photos sourced from Italian paper blog and Claymoor blog