A question of detail
How can we tell if a shoe is truly high quality? What materials, what kind of sole and what type of construction must it have?
There are a variety of distinctive elements that characterise Maison Tardini footwear, from the materials used, to the finishes; from the lining to the metal parts made of brass, the leather welts to the rubber sole with leather bottom or vice versa, not to mention the construction, which must be strictly “hand-made”, and also made in Italy.
For all Tardini footwear, each step of the production process is carried out by hand by our skilled craftsmen, whose tradition is passed down from father to son.
In the initial phase, our leathers are carefully selected in the United States, in Louisiana to be precise. Before they reach the shoemaker’s bench they pass through a very long process: they are tanned, fleshed, tinted and nailed.
The construction of the shoe defines its style and is linked to the particular model. Most classic Tardini shoes are crafted using the “Blake” stitch: the upper (the top part of the shoe), the insole and outsole are all stitched together with a single or double thread, creating a stylish and lightweight shoe; or they are made with the “Goodyear” welt, where the welt (the outer edge of the sole) is sewn onto the edge of the insole, to which the upper and the lining are also attached. Finally the sole is stitched, resulting in a shoe that is comfortable, durable, and tastefully “English”.
With rubber soles the detail is very important, because sporty “wedges” and edgy “lug” soles are finished with glossy leather welts, while classic flat sneakers are even “re-soled” in leather and latex, thus making them light, comfortable, and more valuable.
For the city there is the Derby or the Oxford, known in Italy as Francesina due to their aesthetic and minimalist design.
The ‘wholecut’ Oxford in American Alligator is the most elegant and precious lace-up by Tardini, being made with a single piece of leather for each foot, recognised as the best quality standard for luxury shoes.