Maestro Bestetti - The Green Single Monk

For opening the week, I picked a very special bespoke pair of monks renditioned by Maestro Bestetti, who makes very beautiful masculine shoes with a dash of a Gladiator look & feel splashed with Roman aristocratic refinement and appeal. 
The below depicted monk is very interesting because of the choice of hide and the colour. I simply love the rendition of this single strap monk. 

The Green Single Strap Monk and

the source of the hide

The pattern design, shapeless with no form at all

The hide strapped to the last to give it the form and shape, and now we have a feeling and touch of what the end result will be like

The almost finish product

The details- one 

 The details - two

Photos sourced from Style Forum

Faded natural patina - WS Foster and Sons

WS Foster bespoke boot and shoemaker, made these not so basic black patina shoes. It is my understanding that the origins are from a pair of bespoke shoe which was never collected by a client and was later used as a display pair at the window. Over the years the sun had produced the fading colour and thus a natural patina was on the make. Today the same patina can be replicated for an additional charge if the client wishes so. 

Faded patina quarter brogue punched cap toe oxford with medallion on a squared chisel last

Faded patina on punched cap toe oxford on a rounded last

Faded patina on a loafer

Faded patina on a brogued wing tip monk

Faded patina on a side gusset

Pictures sourced from WS Foster and Sons and A Suitable wardrobe

Mr. Beppe Modenese - Italian style icon

Each time I see a photo of Mr. Beppe Modenese, I am astounded by the way he assembles his clothing, the suit, tie, shirt, pocket square and the colour combinations. The more photos I saw of Mr. Modenese, I wondered what his occupation is / was ?  From the outfits and assembling of the clothing, he could not just be another well dressed senior citizen. And guess what......? I found out that Mr. Modenese is the founder of the Milan fashion week. So in short he has learned the bread and butter craft of style, elegant dressing from the core.
I simply adore the way Mr. Modenese gets the whole attire functioning with such ease, coolness as if no special attention is paid to the little details that makes the whole look complete and satisfactory to the viewer.

I found the below article from RoGallery about Mr. Modenese

Beppe Modenese began his working life with Giovanni Batitista Giorgini's Store "Ridotto" at the same time with a fashion and furnishings televsion program, for ten year.s. He became a leader in fashion shows organization than PR for th American cosmetic concern, Estee Lauder (1960-1966) and then for Coco Chanel cosmetics. He created and organized "Moda Parma" (1968 - 191). He has been PR and Press Office of "IdeaComo" since 1977 and of "Ideabiella". In 1978 he created the cfashion show "Modit" then he became the head of the Press Office of Milano Collezioni. He created many other important fashion shows. From 1985 to 1990, he was a consultant for Rinascente, member of the Presidential team at the Milan Fair and qualified as an ainternational judge for the Fashion Foundation of Tokyo. In 1986, he designed a collection of jewelry for Faraone, Milan. Artistic director PR for the five star hotel chain Four Season, Bugatti, the Girombelli Group, Etro, and Aneta.

Below are pictures of Mr. Modenese dressed as always very elegantly, classic style, impeccable and very timeless. I simply adore the use of the safety pin to hold the tie. A sartorial dna for Mr. Modenese. Very cool.

Photos sourced from The Sartorialist and Zimbio

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

Mr. Cliff Roberts (Northampton) Bespoke Shoemaker follow up

Mr. Cliff Roberts, a Northampton bespoke shoe maker, a one man bespoke shoe making operation, never stops to amaze me with some of the shoe renditions he makes.


I admire his artisanship and the products produced from his hand. 


I earlier blogged about the shoes Mr. Roberts produced for me and have to admit, they are very well done, classic & elegant. I am looking forward to more pieces from the Master from Northampton. 


I took the liberty of taking some of his latest creations and bring them here to you, so you can also admire these pieces. Enjoy.


Mr. Cliff Roberts with son, who is also joining the bespoke shoe tradition, it is my understanding that the younger Mr. Roberts made the double monk they are holding. 


Furthermore, Mr. Roberts daughter is also into the bespoke shoe business. How fortunate can we be, all of the Shoe AristoCats, Shoe Lovers, Shoe Snobs, and shoe collectors, will have three Roberts to deal with. Tough for some of us........

Mr. Cliff Roberts with Mr. Frank Bruno

I have never seen a two toned Ghillie before, but this one is amazing

A Derby boot

An oxford cap toe and a buttoned balmoral boot, wow. The latter is a rare item, I am glad that some gents are reviving this Edwardian boot and thanks to artisans like Mr. Roberts who offers this beauty for all shoe lovers.

A brown monk and the channelled sole

Two tone balmoral boot (suede and leather)

Mr. Roberts rendition of a balmoral oxford, never seen a balmoral oxford done this way, very unique, the colour combination is also striking. Wonder which gent commissioned this pair.

A monk with vamp brogue

My favourite travel shoes, side gusset with false laces also known as the Churchill shoe

Another monk, a double monk in tan, stitched cap toe, this will make a good Summer shoe.

A black full brogue

Classical punched cap toe oxford

Punched cap toe side gussets in Summer colouring, wonderful

Another side gusset with brogueing (Anthony Cleverley inspired)

A brown monk

A beautifully renditioned two tone Adelaide with wing cap toe. My next pair to commission?

Two toned oxford boots, interesting colour combination, well done

Two toned Balmoral boot in black and cream, very classy

A tan whole cut with vamp stitching, beautiful Spring/Summer shoe

All pictures sourced from Cliff Roberts