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| Type | Private (Three Generations) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Men's Shoes |
| Headquarters | , |
| Products | Shoes and Belts |
| Services | bespoke and ready-to-wear |
| Website | www.bontoni.com |
Bontoni is a luxury Italian shoemaker that makes handmade men's dress shoes. Bontoni's nine-person workshop is located on the outskirts of Montegranaro in the Marche Region of Italy.
Bontoni is a third-generation luxury Italian shoemaker that manufactures handmade men's shoes. Bontoni was founded in 2004 by Franco Gazzani (third-generation family shoemaker) and his distant cousin Lewis Cutillo. [1] [2] Prior to 2004, Gazzani's grandfather, uncle, and father made custom shoes for a limited number of clients under no label. Many of the models carried by the brand were originally created by Gazzani's father and grandfather. [3] [4] [5] The name Bontoni originated from the French bon ton, which means sophisticated manner. [6]
Bontoni's nine artisans produce just 2600 pairs a year. From start to finish, each pair of Bontoni shoes takes about 14 weeks to complete and nearly 26 working hours. Bontoni's Casa e Bottega, or home-based workshop, is located in Gazzani's basement in The Marches Region of Italy. It represents Bontoni one of the last remaining established, in-home family-owned artisanal workshops in all of Italy. [5]
Bontoni employs hand-colored leathers, original designs, and hand workmanship. Bontoni's bespoke, or su misura offering requires 2-3 separate fittings and can take 7–10 months to complete. [7] Bontoni's ready-made collection is available at a small number of retailers throughout the world that include Bergdorf Goodman, Harrods, Wilkes Bashford, Beymen, Richard's, Mario's, Boyds, Stanley Korshak, Harry Rosen, as well as several others. [4]
A tailor is a person who makes or alters clothing, particularly in men's clothing. The Oxford English Dictionary dates the term to the thirteenth century.
Salvatore Ferragamo was an Italian shoe designer and the founder of luxury goods high-end retailer Salvatore Ferragamo S.p.A. An innovative shoe designer, Salvatore Ferragamo established a reputation in the 1930s. In addition to experimenting with materials including kangaroo, crocodile, and fish skin, Ferragamo drew on historic inspiration for his shoes.
"The Elves and The Shoemaker" is a set of fairy tales collected by the Brothers Grimm about a poor shoemaker who receives much-needed help from three young helpful elves.
Shoemaking is the process of making footwear.
Sergio Rossi is an Italian fashion brand that focuses on footwear. Founded in Italy in 1951, the brand was later acquired by the Gucci Group in 1999. It became a part of the Kering Group under François Pinault, from 2005 until 2016, when Investindustrial fully acquired the brand. In June 2021, Fosun Fashion Group (FFG) announced that it had come to an agreement to acquire Sergio Rossi. The ownership was transferred to the Lanvin Group in October 2021.
Brioni is an Italian menswear luxury house based in Rome and specialised in sartorial ready-to-wear, leather goods, shoes, eyewear and fragrance, and provides a tailor-made service (Bespoke).
John Lobb Bootmaker is a company that manufactures and retails a luxury brand of shoes and boots, mainly for men but also for women. Leather goods such as wallets and belts are also available. Founded by John Lobb (1829–95), John Lobb Bootmaker has been in business since 1849 in London and circa 1900 in Paris. John Lobb's son William took over the business and after he died in 1916 the business was led by Betsy Lobb.
Rudolf "Rudi" Dassler was a German cobbler, businessman, member of the Nazi party, and founder of sportswear company Puma.
Freed of London Ltd, often referred to simply as Freed, is a designer and manufacturer of pointe shoes and other dance shoes. The company additionally manufactures dance apparel, bridal, and fashion collections. Freed of London shoes are handcrafted in the UK and today the brand is available in over 50 countries. While Freed began in a basement in Covent Garden, it now comprises nine retail stores, seven offices, five warehouses, and three manufacturing sites.
Allen Edmonds is an American upscale men's shoe company based in Port Washington, Wisconsin. The company was established in Belgium, Wisconsin, in 1922 by Elbert W. Allen as Allen-Spiegal Shoe Company. The company is one of the few companies to maintain manufacturing in the U.S. and has been the choice for every U.S. president on inauguration day from Ronald Reagan to George W. Bush.
Mundillo is a craft of handmade bobbin lace that is cultivated and honored on the island of Puerto Rico and Panama. The term 'mundillo' means 'little world', referring to the cylindrical pillow on which the lace maker ('Mundillista') weaves intricate designs. The decorative lace is created using wooden bobbins about the diameter of a pencil, which are wound with thread that is twisted and crossed to form a pattern. Depending on the pattern, as few as two dozen or as many as several hundred bobbins may be used.
Bettanin & Venturi is an Italian family and artisan company that manufactures exclusive luxury men's shoes. Founded by Giuseppe Bettanin and Gianna Venturi in 1994, Bettanin & Venturi's workshop is located in Vigasio in the Province of Verona (Italy).
Wildsmith Shoes is a high-end English handmade footwear manufacturer, founded in London in 1847 by husband and wife team, Matthew and Rebecca Wildsmith. They based their business on making and repairing boots for the Household Cavalry.
The word bespoke has evolved from a verb meaning 'to speak for something', to its contemporary usage as an adjective. Originally, the adjective bespoke described tailor-made suits and shoes. Later, it described anything commissioned to a particular specification. In contemporary usage, bespoke has become a general marketing and branding concept implying exclusivity and limited runs.
Datuk Jimmy Choo Yeang Keat is a Malaysian fashion designer based in the United Kingdom. He co-founded Jimmy Choo Ltd, which became known for its handmade women's shoes.
Stefano Ricci is a private family-owned Italian luxury lifestyle brand with headquarters located in Fiesole. With 60 monobrand boutiques worldwide, the brand produces menswear and accessories, a line for juniors "SR Junior", homeware "SR HOME" and lifestyle products. The brand also offers bespoke and interior design services for both yachts and residences. Stefano Ricci S.p.A. was rated as EE (average) by the London-based Standard Ethics agency for three consecutive years 2015, 2016, and 2017. The New York Times calls Stefano Ricci "clothier to the 0.001 percent".
Aubercy is a French company that produces bespoke shoes, high-end ready-to-wear and a shoe repair service. It was founded in 1935 by André and Renée Aubercy, at the 34, Vivienne street, in Paris.
Nikolaus Tuczek was a British shoemaker, based in Mayfair, London, born to a family of Austro-Hungarian immigrants.
Amina Muaddi is a Jordanian-Romanian fashion designer.
Dune London is a British shoe manufacturer and retailer. Its product line include shoes for women, men, and children as well as fashion accessories.
Media related to Bontoni at Wikimedia Commons
