Italigente

 

A sensational quality – Milan-based men’s shoe label Italigente is a corruption of the words “Italy” and “gentleman”.

Nomen est omen: the styles bearing this resounding name focus on a serious-modern style, exquisite materials, a perfect fit and Italian craftsmanship. The founder is a Swede and specialist in footwear: Indeed, Magnus Ericson claims to have practically been born in a shoe box. His family has been in the footwear business for five generations and with the luxury line Italigente, now marketed worldwide, Magnus has finally made his dream come true. His target group is “quality-conscious customers to whom Italigente offers sensational wear comfort”. In Stockholm the collection premiered at the retail store Nordiska Kompaniet in September 2007.

The shoes are stocked in London by Spencer Hart and in Tokyo by World Footwear Gallery. On the German market top department stores will start retailing this brand in Autumn 2008.

The name is young but the know-how has been acquired over many years working for the international shoe business. Used here are finest leathers from Bavaria and France finished at leading Italian tanneries. Tanning soles using environment-friendly methods takes 90 days alone. Uppers are still cut manually. Manufacturing one shoe takes at least seven days.

Approx. 200 highly specialised individual processes have to be completed before each pair of welted shoes is complete. Slowly and carefully applied natural dyes and polishes make for that special finish. Recommended retail prices are between EUR 260 and EUR 380.

- www.italigente.com