A WALK IN STEFANO BREMER’S SHOES
Firenze is a city well known for its centuries-old crafts and antiquities, but it also has an edge on contemporary fashion as well. When it comes to all things hand-made in leather, Florence has it all, but one name that rises to the top is Stefano Bremer shoes, the bespoke leather shoe atelier in the San Niccolo neighborhood of Florence. While the history of this shop may only go back to 1983 (a mere drop in the bucket compared to some of the city’s workshops from the 18th century), the brand has certainly made a splash with their integrity to craft and their superb collection of bespoke and ready-to-wear men’s shoes.
All Photos Courtesy of Stefano Bemer.
Stefano Bemer had one goal in mind when first opening the doors to his workshop over thirty years ago: to perfect the art of the shoe. Rumor has it that he “saw his future though a hole in his shoe” when at just eighteen years old, he realized there was no cobbler in his tiny town in Chianti to fix it. After learning the art of shoe repair, he moved on and up to the famed neighborhood of San Frediano to master the art of shoe making, quickly making his way to the pinnacle of Italian style.
For years Stefano worked with his small team of expert craftsmen to create entirely bespoke shoes for Italy’s elite, as well as a star-studded list of international celebrities in know. But his life was cut short by an illness, and the shop fell somewhat into disarray.
EXPERTLY TRAINED ARTISANS HAND STITCH, CARVE, HAMMER AND SEW EVERY LAST DETAIL.
THE NEW OWNER, TOMMASO MELANI (RIGHT) SHOWS OFF HIS ITALIAN STYLE.
By 2012, fearing that all would be lost of this magical shoemaker, Tommaso Melani, who comes from a long line of leather craftsmen in Florence, stepped in to invest and reinvigorate the brand. He has since carried on the perfected styles and designs of the Stefano Bemer name, while also implementing new programs like artisan training, and read-to-wear styles to ensure that Stefano’s legacy lasts a lifetime.
There is no doubt that these are the crème de la crème when it comes to men’s shoes, which means I might be dragging a certain special someone to the shop on our trip to Florence next week! On that note, have I mentioned how excited I am about this trip?
