Shoe production in the US has dropped 85 per cent since 1995 and around 90 shoe factories have closed as companies shift production overseas. Iconic American brands such as Timberland, Converse, Sebago, Johnston & Murphy…
September’s footwear fair in Milan drew a record 46,300 visitors. Yet while Italy exported 250 million pairs of shoes in 2006, output has fallen 30 per cent in the past five years in the face of competition from Asia’s…
The Czech town of Zlin was transformed by a visionary shoemaker who wanted to house his workers in a garden city – we put our best foot forward to explore his functionalist masterpiece.
Provenance is set to become key as we turn our backs on products made at dodgy factories in who-knows-where. Consumers want authenticity and, as many companies have found, they’re happy to pay for it.
Milan, Paris, London, New York – and Ubrique, of course. What could be dismissed as a sleepy Spanish town is in fact a fashion heavyweight renowned for its leatherware. Monocle paid a visit to pick up some bags and brogues…
With whole towns in Italy dedicated to producing a single item, be it eyewear, silk or shoes, it’s clear why the big names in fashion continue to rely on the expertise of the country’s specialised craftsmen.
A family-run shoe-polish manufacturer on the outskirts of Paris with over eight decades of experience has big global plans, in spite of its diminutive size.
It owns 70 stores, supplies countless more, and runs a hotel and a restaurant. But the family behind the quirky, creative Spanish shoe brand Camper is still committed to its native roots and long tradition of quality.
We always have a little room in our wardrobes for Trachten and Dirndls – but there’s more to Austrian fashion than initially meets the eye. We visit three brands that are putting a new spin on age-old manufacturing tradi…
The people at Bontoni shoes like to take things slowly, producing just eight pairs of shoes a day. Their dedication is helping Montegranaro, Italy’s shoe town, take changes to the global footwear market in its stride.
It’s a skill that requires great precision and care, so it’s no surprise Santoni’s shoemaking apprentices can take six years to learn the trade. Master shoemaker Silvano Sollini reveals his pride in passing on the craft to…
A global master in shoe manufacturing, France has weathered the industry’s decline with its artisans
taking centre stage once more. We introduce our favourite sole bearers.