Bespoke Shoes: Florence

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If you want bespoke shoes and have plenty of Euro to pay for them, you need to head directly to Florence, Italy. Florence has multiple high end bespoke shoemakers tucked away on seemingly random side streets and alleys. Be ready because these shoes will cost you about € 3,000 for the first pair and anywhere from € 2,000-3,000 for additional pairs. Some of these shops also take up to about 6 months to deliver the product. 
The first place I stumbled upon was Stefano Bemer. It was located on the street Borgo San Frediano on our walk from the subdivision Santo Spirito to the city center. There are two tucked away shops, which you could easily walk past without seeing if it weren't for the pair of tan and blue loafers in the window.
"Stefano Bemer offers the best to fit the taste of the client, advising on shapes, patterns, materials and colors. And, mainly, the service of "custom" which offers about 180 variations of materials and colors."







The second place I found was Skarpe Scarpe su Misura. This shop is located on Via di S. Lucia along the walk to the main train station: Stazione di Firenze Santa Maria Novella. It's a beautiful storefront with almost full floor to ceiling windows, but she unfortunately discourages pictures. I had to snap my photos on the sly.
"This German-born shoemaker Vivian Saskia Wittmer caters mostly to men in her ground-floor atelier (where she draws the draperies for those who’d rather not display their feet), crafting shoes with such precision that it can take six months to make a pair.  She uses the finest quality leather (calf, ostrich, alligator, elephant, shark, camel's belly, perch). Every pair is different, fit to the personality of the client, that will last over time while remaining comfortable, beautiful and above all unique."
Location: Via di S. Lucia 24/r








The last shoemaker I found was Il Micio di Hidetaka Fukaya. He is a Japanese bespoke shoemaker whose shop is located on Via de' Federighi (6r) on the way down the alley to Il Latini restaurant.
"Hidetaka Fukaya of Nagoya Japan started his passion for cobbling about 10 years ago. He studied shoe making in Siena and has not looked back. Since then he has opened up his own shop in a charming alley in Florence. Hidetaka has caused quite a stir and is a welcome "novelty" among the Italians. Who is this Japanese man who has embraced our tradition for shoe-making? With his passion for exquisite shoes, he has gained their respect for his craftsmanship, style and charm. In fact, he is only one of three sources of handmade shoes in Florence."  - Eminence Grise blog