Bontoni
Bontoni is a third-generation Italian family company that produces a very exclusive line of bespoke and ready-made men's dress shoes. Bontoni's nine-person workshop is located in the outskirts of Montegranaro in the Marche Region of Italy.
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| Type | Private (Three Generations) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Men's Shoes |
| Headquarters | Sant'Elpidio A Mare , Italy |
| Products | Shoes and Belts |
| Services | bespoke and ready-to-wear |
| Website | www.bontoni.com |
Background
Bontoni was founded in 2004 by Franco Gazzani (third-generation family shoemaker) and his distant cousin Lewis Cutillo. Gazzani’s grandfather and father used to make unlabeled shoes for family and friends. Many of the models carried by the brand were originally created by Gazzani's father and grandfather.[1][2][3] The name Bontoni originated from the French bon ton, which means sophisticated manner.[4]
By 2009, Bontoni had 6 employees and producing on average 8 to 10 shoes a day.[5]
Overview
Bontoni produces fewer than 9-12 pairs a day.[6] The family-owned company is renowned for its rich hand colored leathers, high level of hand workmanship and limited production. Bontoni's bottega, or workshop, is located in the Marche region of Italy.[7] It takes about twelve weeks to complete a pair of ready-made shoes and ten months for a custom pair.[8] Bontoni's ready-made collection is available at a select number of exclusive clothiers throughout the world. Bontoni's U.S. retailers include Bergdorf Goodman, Wilkes Bashford, Harrods, Beymen, Richard's, Mario's, Boyds, Stanley Korshak as well as several others.[2]
See also
- List of Italian companies
References
- Lauren Sherman, How--And How Not--To Sell Luxury, Forbes.com, 16 April 2009
- GianCarla Espinosa-Aritao, These shoes have soles with your name on it, Abs-sbn.com, 21 February 2019
- Rocky Casale, New York Times: Inside Bontoni's Basement of Cobblers, Nytimes.com, 28 April 2015
- Erin Skrypek, What to wear when price is no object, Boston.com, 24 January 2008
- Ana Finel Honigman, Fancy Footwork | Bontoni Bespoke Shoes, Nytimes.com, 2 September 2009
- Finel Honigman, Ana (September 2, 2009). "Fancy Footwork: Bontoni Bespoke Shoes". New York Times. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
- Casale, Rocky (September 12, 2010). "Sons walk in cobblers' footsteps". Washington Post. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
- Casale, Rocky (2010-09-10). "Side Order: In the Italian town of Montegranaro, works of art handmade for your feet". ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2017-10-13.