Velvet, for centuries, has been a synonym of aristocracy and nobility.
The history of it goes back to 1347 when the Republic of Venice’s Guild of Velvet Weavers was created. Velvet has been so important to the Italians and more specifically to the Venetian community, that a family owned business created in 1499 still exists – Bevilacqua family atelier opened in 1499 and has passed from generation to generation the intricate and sophisticated technique. Popes, Kings, and Czars have worn the velvet produced by the Bevilacqua family.
I love the fabric and maybe it should be subject to a specific post. This one, though, is about the personalised velvet embroidered loafers.
Recently I read an article about Giorgio Armani’s favourite shoes… Needless to say that one of the most elegant men in the world was wearing a dark blue velvet embroidered loafer…
I immediately fell in love with it and wanted to have a pair… one for me, one for my husband, and one for my dad, the most elegant man I have ever known…
Upon reflexion, I thought it would be nicer to have it personalised with our monogram rather than Giorgio Armani’s… despite the fact I admire him a lot…
Then, I did some research and I came across a couple of houses which have been doing it for a while… Obviously not as long as the Bevilacqua family but long enough…
www. stubbsandwootton.com – Based in the US. It has several types of personalisation and the monograms can be classic but also modern…
www.arthursleepers.co.uk – Based in the UK and therefore more catered to the European market… Hand made shoes, very classic… with a very interesting story behind it… I love it…
www.dukeanddexter.com – Also a UK based company. Shoes are also handmade and the family runs the business for over 80 years… I like that they have a classic but modern touch.
www.bluebirdshoes.com.br – Based in Brazil, focus more on female shoes but it does have a beautiful male collection… I love the fact that it can be personalised… however its own collection is also stunning.
I quite often catch myself checking peoples shoes… and when I encounter a handmade pair of velvet loafers, I have no doubt that the person in question knows that elegance is a pre-requisite.
xx Valentina
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