shoemaking
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Walking distance
London's storied bespoke shoemaker Henry Maxwell has swapped Jermyn Street for an Essex Road piano factory, seeking to reinvent luxury craftsmanship for modern times.
Step to it
Durable, desirable shoes can’t just be cobbled together. The team at Glent knows that every footprint is unique and crafts its loafers accordingly.
Sole traders
Perhaps your ski or hiking shoes were born in a small town north of Venice. We head to Montebelluna to meet the designers and producers who always put their best foot forward.
Step ahead
The popularity of Goro climbing boots on and off the mountains is testament to the brand’s unique shoe-making process.
Stepping forward
Santoni’s shoemaking apprentices can take six years to learn the precise, careful trade. Master shoemaker Silvano Sollini reveals his pride in passing on the craft to a younger generation in Italy.
Heart and sole
The family-owned Spanish shoe brand Camper owns 70 stores and runs a hotel and restaurant, but remains committed to its native roots in Mallorca and its long tradition of quality.
Sure footed
Bontoni shoes takes things slowly, producing just eight pairs a day. Their dedication is helping Montegranaro, Italy’s shoe town, take changes to the global footwear market in its stride.
Step ahead
September’s footwear fair in Milan drew a record number of visitors. But while Italy exported 250 million pairs of shoes in 2006, output has fallen by 30 per cent since.
