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

Hidden gems from Style Forum 2012 - Mr. Antonio25

It was some time since I last visited Style forum and as I was browsing through the shoe threads and forums when I came across a gent named Antonio25. According to Mr. Antonio25, he has worked for Kiton and Rubinacci, which are both Italian houses offering high-end men's clothing and shoes.  As I was reading through the "shoe damage report" thread, I noted that Mr. Antonio25 showed the below depicted well made shoes each with a very brilliant patina that brought the individual pair to higher grounds of admiration. To my surprise, Mr. Antonio was offering these hand made shoes, patina and all, for less than 500 Euros per pair minus postage and handling. I lost my jaw for a second or two. Why? Hmmm....look at them, these shoes shows that the maker has respect for the craft of bespoke shoemaking, is paying attention to the details, and not to mention that he has also mastered the art of the patina. A discipline for itself.
My favourites: the boot and the punched whole cut oxford. I think Mr. Antonio is just teasing my appetite and I am looking forward to the other dishes to be offered. So in short ....I am a very hungry man and waiting for a reply from Mr. Antonio25. More news on these beauties......and thanks Mr. Antonio25 for sharing these beauties with us at Style forum.

Strapped loafer with a nice shine

 Oxford laced boot with an amazing patina in tan and dark brown, I love the rendition of this boot and colouring.

 A beautiful loafer with a darkened toe

 Side laced oxford in a very beautiful red and black patina. I imagine this patina on a Chelsea boot, wonderful.

 A rendition of a wing tipped oxford in beautiful tan and light brown patina

 A Berlutisque rendition of a stitched apron oxford, the patina is breath taking

 A punched cap toe with a medallion on a burgundy whole cut oxford. Classy.

Photos sourced from Style forum

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

Patina & glacage of the day by Imai Hiroki (Japan)

I was on Facebook today and I found Imai Hiroki's Facebook profile with pictures of these beautiful patina and glacage shoes. These shoes are pieces of art work and are amazing and stunning, made not to be worn but placed and stored in a museum behind thick armoured glass for visitors to view and admire. 

He handles the leather he is working on like a painter will work on canvas. This is no more polishing of shoes & getting a shine, but pure art that brings the beauty of the hide/leather out. I am stunned. The French and Italian patina masters must be careful, as Imai Hiroki is the new Da Vinci, who pushes the art of patina and glacage to higher levels.  

View and decide for yourselves. Enjoy.

A Whole cut oxford painting by Laundry Lacour

Side laced wholecut with tiger motif by Master Hom

Comic strip inspired oxford, very cool by Master Hom

Oxford Balmoral boot in greyish/blue patina by Master Imai

Burgundy and grey whole cut bootie by Master Imai

Photos sourced from Imai Hiroki's Facebook profile and Forums Film Noir Buff

The Guild of Craft - Japanese Bespoke shoemakers

The Guild of Craft - Japanese Bespoke Boot and Shoemaker

When talking about bespoke shoemakers we tend to to talk about a craft that is "only" making shoes for the men, however that is not true. Any respectable shoemaker can make shoes for our better half too. So gents, when bespeaking your shoes, do not forget the Lady.
In my quest for the Japanese bespoken shoes, I came across the Guild of Craft a Japanese bespoke boot and shoe maker. The depicted items below are from an exhibition in France by the Guild.

Look at those ladies boot and shoes, feminine, sex appealing, refined, delicate, sensible, teasing, soft, tender, add all the positive adjectives you wish. 

Back row of the below picture second pair ( a Balmoral Boot in Suede) next to it a whole cut monk. Ouch. 

Line up, both Lady and Gent shoes.  

A candy shop for the kids

A Casual slip-on

 The Floor traders negotiating

 The Goodies, a Jodpur, side laced, a monk, a slip-on

 The Sole as renditioned by the Guild of Craft

 More floor trading, negotiating and documenting the beauties

Pictures sourced from The Guild Blog