”Some products are just hard to nail. There are design elements that make a big difference but that are challenging to express with words or drawings.”
The quest for the right factory
We started in Spain, continued to Portugal and ended up in Italy.
There are design elements that make a big difference but that are challenging to express with words or drawings. It’s like the difference between an unforgettable tomato pasta and a decent one. More or less the same recipe, but invisible rituals, ingredients and traditions make all the difference. That’s the best way to describe the creation of The Driving Shoe.
It took nine months to find the right partner. We finally struck luck in Italy. Hidden behind the mountains of Campania, the town of Padula emerged. A small village covered in twirling roads, stunning sights and warm people.
The atelier we got to know has been run by the same family for generations since it first opened its doors. We noticed the artisan’s sense of pride in the craft from the get-go. Rather than being met with resistance to our detailed specs, the team was eager to learn more about our requested design elements to get this iconic shoe just how we wanted it. A clear signal that we were on the right path.
The attention to detail, combined with curiosity, pride and the deep knowledge of the artisans, made it clear that this was our partner.
The Driving Shoe is handmade from start to finish. The meticulous process requires both time and skill and starts with a simple pattern of soft leather with a grain texture. The sole, which requires individual holes for the signature rubber dots, is a delicate process as it must be perfectly cut to fit its rubber sole insert. The top is sewn together by hand with the inner sole and integrated outer sole and finished off with a decorative drawstring and bow at the top — a detail that brings together the whole look of this iconic style.
