Description

Gatto is a legend in the world of shoemaking​,​ forming the holy trinity of bespoke shoes along with John Lobb and Tuczek. Beginning in 1899​,​ his first exploit was to send a pair of boots to the Duke of Palma : Giulio Tomasi di Lampedusa​,​ father of the renowned writer of the Leopard (Il Gattopardo)​,​ Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa. The Duke loved these shoes so much he became a regular customer and introduced Gatto to the royal family and the best shoemakers in Europe to work with. He finally opened his own bespoke shop in Rome​,​ Via Antonio Salandra. Almost all the crown princes of Europe wore his shoes​,​ and Angelo Gatto himself will be knighted in 1926 by the King Of Italy​,​ and he became the official shoemaker of the Crown. His reputation only grew during the heydays of the Cinecittà​,​ thanks to numerous celebrities that sought his shoes. Some of his clients included actors like Marcello Mastroianni​,​ Marlon Brando or Gregory Peck​,​ directors like Vittorio De Sica and Pier Paolo Pasolini​,​ tycoons like Aristote Onassis and Gianni Agnelli​,​ and politicians like the Kennedys. In France​,​ Alain Delon owned several pairs of Gatto during his years working with Luchino Visconti​,​ while writer Jean d'Ormesson is said to have spent almost all his money on two things: sport cars and Gatto shoes. When Angelo Gatto passed away in 1974​,​ his nephew Giuseppe took over with the help of lastmaker Gaetano Vastola who worked for Angelo since 1953. They continued their craft​,​ and attracted a new clientele of captain of industries and heads of state. When Giuseppe passed in 1993​,​ his son Enzo along with Peppino Gatto and Gaetano Vastola continued on. However due to their respective age​,​ they didn't accept new clients unless they wanted to make at least six pairs on their first order. In 2006​,​ they decided to sell the shop to Silvano Lattanzi​,​ another famous shoemaker based in Milan. Unfortunately​,​ everything from Gatto is now gone​,​ except for a small plaque at the entrance of the old shop Via Salandra. I propose one example of Gatto's excellent work: a brown suede full-brogue single monkstrap. It is the perfect pair for spring and summer​,​ with a variety of trousers (white​,​ tan​,​ light blue​,​ light grey​,​ and pastel coloured chinos). As always with Gatto​,​ everything is done by hand​,​ from the stitching of the upper to the soles. It even includes a delicate gold buckle with Gatto carved onto it. You cannot find such level of craft these days. The bespoke shoetrees are included as well. The condition is excellent​,​ almost like new. The size is similar to a 8​,​5UK​/​42​,​5EU. Check the measurements below to be sure it fits you: - Length of the left shoe: 29​,​6cm - Length of the right shoe: 29​,​8cm - Width of the left shoe: 10​,​2cm - Width of the right shoe: 10​,​5cm The quality is equivalent to the following bespoke houses: - In England: John Lobb Ltd Bootmaker​​,​​ Nikolaus Tuczek​​,​​ George Cleverley​​,​​ Dominic Casey​,​ Foster & Son​,​ Gaziano & Girling​,​ Henri Maxwell​ - In Italy: Stefano Bemer​,​ Ricardo Freccia Bestetti​,​ Marini​,​ Pettrocchi​,​ Beppino Rampin​,​ Roberto Ugolini​,​ - In France: Aubercy​​,​​ Berluti​,​ Corthay​​,​​ John Lobb Paris​,​ Massaro​,​ Philippe Atienza​​,​​ Stephane Jimenez​ - In Japan: Yohei Fukuda​​,​​ Eiji Murata​,​ Tye Shoemaker If you have questions regarding the shoes​​,​​ don't hesitate to ask. Possibly to try them in Paris 15th Arrondissement