FOSCA

THE BESPOKE SHOES LAB (03/03/2016)

Olivia è stata deliziosa! Gentilissima, disponibile. Consiglio a tutti una visita nel suo laboratorio, l'affascinante mondo della scarpa fatta a mano! Vi mostrerà con passione, dedizione e grande competenza la sua attività .
Regalatevi questo momento, sono mondi sempre più difficili da toccare con mano.
Grazie Olivia per la bella giornata

OLIVIA | Shoe maker and designer

ASK FOR A CUSTOMIZED EXPERIENCE OR DATE

WISH LIST

SHARE THE STORY

THE STORY

My career as artisanal shoe maker has started during the University: I was studying Philosophy in Urbino, which is known for its up and down streets, and everyday I use to walk a lot but my shoes were never comfortable. That's why I decided to create them on my own!
Pesaro, the place in which I live, is not part of the renowned Marche' shoes district so it was very difficult to find somebody to help me in this challenge. But there is always a solution if you really want to do something, and I found an excellent leather craftsman in Pesaro, that has immediately decided to welcome me in his lab. Here I learned to create handmade sandals, leather bags and belts and everyday it was a bliss to smell the leather scent. I was happy like never before, but nevertheless that wasn't enough, so I decided to enroll for a shoe design course and right after the diploma (and the Philosophy degree too!) I started working for a shoe firm in Tuscany as pattern maker first and as collection manager in a second moment.
It was exactly in Tuscany that I met a master artisan specialized in luxury bespoke shoes totally handmade. Everyday I went to his workshop after my work shift just to stare at him while working in order to assimilate as much secrets as I could. He has been able to transfer all his knowledge to me, and it's only thanks to him that now I know how to make a totally handmade pair of shoes on my own. Then it comes that October's day...the day in which I quit my job and I decided to come back in Pesaro and realize my dream.
Today I design and realize bespoke shoes in a meticulous way, taking so much care of the comfort and the aesthetic. I'm responsible for all the stages of production, I cut the leather, I sew the upper and I prepare sole and heels.
I use a wide variety of leathers, such as calf, goat and fish (yes, fish too!) and I'm always looking for innovative materials, which is a very interesting part of my job.
A peculiarity of my production is that every pair of shoes I make has a vegetal tanned lining, which is natural and totally nonallergic.
I don't have a set of samples to show because every work is totally fine-tuned on my customers needs. I use to have a first meeting with my client, during which I like to discover his/her personality and to grab some distinctive feature to put in the shoe design. Of course I need his/her help to understand which kind of shoes he/she wants to have, a pair of shoes that has to represent who he/she is.
Then I realize some sketches and I advance my proposal, with all the specifics such as the kind of leather, the shape and the sole. After this stage (made on paper) I start to work on the model that is a "always in progress" project sprung by the continuous interaction between my client and me. That's why every creation is unique and unrepeatable.
It is an aesthetic functional object that will become a piece of art when it will start walking: that's why the client will be the one and only to complete and carry on this work of art.

OLIVIA | Shoe maker and designer


THE STORY
My career as artisanal shoe maker has started during the University: I was studying Philosophy in Urbino, which is known for its up and down streets, and everyday I use to walk a lot but my shoes were never comfortable. That's why I decided to create them on my own! Pesaro, the place in which I live, is not part of the renowned Marche' shoes district so it was very difficult to find somebody to help me in this challenge. But there is always a solution if you really want to do something, and I found an excellent leather craftsman in Pesaro, that has immediately decided to welcome me in his lab. Here I learned to create handmade sandals, leather bags and belts and everyday it was a bliss to smell the leather scent. I was happy like never before, but nevertheless that wasn't enough, so I decided to enroll for a shoe design course and right after the diploma (and the Philosophy degree too!) I started working for a shoe firm in Tuscany as pattern maker first and as collection manager in a second moment. It was exactly in Tuscany that I met a master artisan specialized in luxury bespoke shoes totally handmade. Everyday I went to his workshop after my work shift just to stare at him while working in order to assimilate as much secrets as I could. He has been able to transfer all his knowledge to me, and it's only thanks to him that now I know how to make a totally handmade pair of shoes on my own. Then it comes that October's day...the day in which I quit my job and I decided to come back in Pesaro and realize my dream. Today I design and realize bespoke shoes in a meticulous way, taking so much care of the comfort and the aesthetic. I'm responsible for all the stages of production, I cut the leather, I sew the upper and I prepare sole and heels. I use a wide variety of leathers, such as calf, goat and fish (yes, fish too!) and I'm always looking for innovative materials, which is a very interesting part of my job. A peculiarity of my production is that every pair of shoes I make has a vegetal tanned lining, which is natural and totally nonallergic. I don't have a set of samples to show because every work is totally fine-tuned on my customers needs. I use to have a first meeting with my client, during which I like to discover his/her personality and to grab some distinctive feature to put in the shoe design. Of course I need his/her help to understand which kind of shoes he/she wants to have, a pair of shoes that has to represent who he/she is. Then I realize some sketches and I advance my proposal, with all the specifics such as the kind of leather, the shape and the sole. After this stage (made on paper) I start to work on the model that is a "always in progress" project sprung by the continuous interaction between my client and me. That's why every creation is unique and unrepeatable. It is an aesthetic functional object that will become a piece of art when it will start walking: that's why the client will be the one and only to complete and carry on this work of art.
ASK FOR A CUSTOMIZED EXPERIENCE OR DATE

WISH LIST

SHARE THE STORY


REVIEWS
FOSCA

THE BESPOKE SHOES LAB (03/03/2016)

Olivia è stata deliziosa! Gentilissima, disponibile. Consiglio a tutti una visita nel suo laboratorio, l'affascinante mondo della scarpa fatta a mano! Vi mostrerà con passione, dedizione e grande competenza la sua attività .
Regalatevi questo momento, sono mondi sempre più difficili da toccare con mano.
Grazie Olivia per la bella giornata

EXPERIENCES WITH OLIVIA

SPECIAL

MAKE YOUR PAIR OF SHOES

Olivia, shoe maker and designer

894

The beauty of a bespoke pair of shoes lies in its construction. This course offers an alchemic journey from the raw material to the finished shoe, a journey through which you will appreciate and understand the hidden beauty of creation. Thanks to slow and repetitive motions, just like a mantra, you will forget about hectic life and delve into a very special mood. The model of shoes for this hands-on workshop is a traditional unlined lace-up with Norwegian structure, but different kind of personalization are more than welcome. The process will be split in two parts: a stage will be totally directed by me and the other one will be carried out in collaboration with other professionals. This second stage consists in a 25 hours program that can be organized upon your schedule. During the module that we will have together, we will also prepare the necessary tools to work, such as leather covers for the fingers and twine for the handmade binding. I suggest you this experience if you want to dedicate some days to creativity and manual work, and it will also be a perfect occasion to enjoy the beautiful Pesaro and Urbino. I’m more than available for any kind of tips for your accommodation and I’ll be glad to suggest you the most peculiar places around the city. Since we will share the whole week together, everyday I will offer you a very special break with the best tastes that Marche has to offer!

PESARO, Pu

VISIT

THE BESPOKE SHOES LAB

Olivia, shoe maker and designer

36

I would love to welcome you in my world, where vintage tools and modern machineries are connected by an endless passion for this work. I will tell you about the whole process through which an handcrafted shoe is made, starting from the one-to-one design method to the one-of-a-kind actual realization. The visit will last approximately one hour and an half.

PESARO, Pu

SPECIAL

FACCIAMO IL PAIO SHOES & DRINK

Olivia, shoe maker and designer

198

Tre serate esclusive all'insegna del romanticismo in cui potrete gustare un aperitivo in laboratorio a lume di candela mentre progettate le vostre scarpe di coppia. Possiamo incidere insieme i vostri nomi come all’interno delle fedi o progettare qualsiasi altra personalizzazione che racconti qualcosa di voi! ...un modo diverso per festeggiare non solo San Valentino, ma anche tutto il cammino che si fa a due. Le scarpe saranno poi realizzate da me e spedite direttamente a casa vostra!

PESARO, Pu

SELECT YOUR FAVOURITE MATERIAL

LEATHER METAL COLOR

ODR

Supported by