A Visit to Stefano Bemer, Firenze

[uppercase]

[Mark Seitelman]

I understand that Peter Elliot's new shoe store carries Bemer shoes. I'll get more information after passing by the shop.

[BenedictSpinola]

What a splendid looking shop - it looks like a "shoe cellar". Uppercase - did you place an order?

Spinola

[uppercase]

http://www.bemers-tokyo.com/shoes/c01_tdm.html

http://www.departures.com/ad/ad_1103_florence.html

Bemer makes absolutely beautiful bespoke shoes; his RTW are, however, an acquired taste, IMO.

Bespoke production is very limited - perhaps 200 pair a year. His shop is very atmospheric; actually, the photos show 2 shops - the RTW shop and the bespoke shop which are walking distance from each other. The brick arches are in the RTW shop.

Bemer was more than happy to show me the backrooms and work space which is to me always a fascinating aspect of visiting these smaller shops; it's always a treat to know where, and by whom the final product is made.

Stefano (the fellow with the beard) is a charming guy and a canny salesman! I did end of up buying 2 pairs of shoes - the chestnut brogues which he is holding in the photo - these were a bespoke sample - and a pair of RTW suede shoes as well. He didn't have to work too hard to convince me.

The bespoke shoes, though not made for me, are very special indeed; very light, beautiful elongated toe and banana arch; they're wonderfully made. They were very comfortable from the start and I must admit that they fit me better and are more beautiful, to my eye, than either EG or JL which I own.

I did not order any bespoke shoes; frankly, purchasing shoes was not on my agenda and I had not heard of Bemer before arriving in Florence on this trip. But following my experience with these shoes, I am very, very tempted to indeed return to Italy to order bespoke shoes. I now think that bespoke shoes are a must when assembling a bespoke wardrobe and I hope some day soon to order a pair! The pleasure and beauty of bespoke shoes, the imagination and fantasy of what these artisans can create is inspiring.

This particular trip to Florence was in the dead of Winter and it was bitterly cold. But the warmth of the people and the special treat of meeting these wonderful craftsmen and viewing their handmade products made the trip very special indeed. This was a completely different shopping experience to any I had ever had. Incomparable, really.

Following my purchase of the shoes, I repaired to a wonderful cafe, away from the brutal cold, ordered a decadent cup of hot chocolate and savored this experience, surrounded by locals, looking out into the bustling piazza, not a tourist in sight.

[edhayes]

the ready to wear seem interesting, it might be fun to have a pair-how much are they?

[mathew]

I think that the "Bemer's" RTW shoes are Euro 400 and up.
The "Stefano Bemer" RTW line is more classic, like Stefano's bespoke offerings, and starts at Euro 850.

[Cufflink79]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SHARING THE PHOTOS!!!!!!
The photos are great, this is better than any photos in my haberdashery books. Thanks for taking the time to put up these neat photos.

Best Regards,

Cufflink79

[alden]

I found Stefano Bemer to be a very engaging young man and an extremely talented craftsman. He gives you the impression that he has spent his entire life working in the bespoke shoe trade and indeed he has done so. Like Tony Gaziano, Bemer is an excellent spokesman for the handcrafted, bespoke arts with a sensibility and maturity that reveals itself fully in the consultative approach with his clients. His shoes are modern renditions of the classics with shapes and styles that add to the repertoire tastefully.

[Mark Seitelman]

The new Peter Elliot mens shoe store, Soles!, has some RTW Bemer, and I think that they will visits for custom fittings. I'll get more info.

[tteplitzmd]

When I visited Bugelli in July he mentioned this artisan. Sadly time did not allow a visit.

Great photos.

[rjman]

I take it Bemer's apprentice, a certain Daniel Day-Lewis, was not in attendance on the day of your visit?

[mathew]

Daniel Day-Lewis apprenticed with Stefano for 10 months or a year, but this was several years ago.