Posted in Shopping

A Visit to Marcellino Shoemakers in Rome

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A man and woman stand together in front of a shoemaker's shop, with a polished brown shoe featuring a white strap and decorative elements in the foreground.A man and woman stand together in front of a shoemaker's shop, with a polished brown shoe featuring a white strap and decorative elements in the foreground.

For those of you who read the blog religiously, you will likely have heard of my frequent trips to Rome, being that my eldest son resides there with his mother. I have been there so many times, I almost feel Roman. Jokes aside, on this last trip, now that my son is getting a bit older, a bit more mature, and I had my parents with me, I decided to actually take a bit of ‘me time’ and visit some bespoke shoemakers in Rome that I had wanted to meet: Marcellino Shoemakers.

A pair of handcrafted shoes featuring a black leather upper and a beige leather body with a suede toe.A pair of handcrafted shoes featuring a black leather upper and a beige leather body with a suede toe.
A cluttered shoemaker's workshop featuring a display case of various leather shoes, wooden tools, and rolls of leather.A cluttered shoemaker's workshop featuring a display case of various leather shoes, wooden tools, and rolls of leather.
A vintage map of the Roman Empire, featuring various colors to indicate different regions, hangs on the wall.A vintage map of the Roman Empire, featuring various colors to indicate different regions, hangs on the wall.
A framed illustration titled "Calzolaio e Sellato" featuring various shoemaking tools and a scene of shoemakers at work.A framed illustration titled "Calzolaio e Sellato" featuring various shoemaking tools and a scene of shoemakers at work.
Illustration of two shoemakers working at a wooden table, one carving leather and the other reading, with various shoes scattered around and a cat nearby.Illustration of two shoemakers working at a wooden table, one carving leather and the other reading, with various shoes scattered around and a cat nearby.
A selection of leather pieces in various shades of brown and tan is displayed on a worktable alongside wooden shoe forms.A selection of leather pieces in various shades of brown and tan is displayed on a worktable alongside wooden shoe forms.

My visit with them was completely unexpected. Not in terms of actually meeting them, but in terms of how much I enjoyed them as people. I dove more into this encounter in my recent post about going to Rome and how my mind really opened up during that trip. I won’t delve too much into that for this post as I try to focus on the shoes and them as a unit. But do have a read if you are more curious about my interactions with them.

Their workshop is in the city limits of Rome, but it takes some effort to get to. I was staying near Testaccio (very close to Circo Maximo), and it quoted me about an hour to get there on public transportation. Granted, I was on the SE side of the city, and they are positioned to the NW. Thankfully, I had a ride, as they actually came to grab me from where I was staying. That was a lifesaver and a testament to their character.

A black leather shoe mounted on a metal roller skate frame with wooden wheels.A black leather shoe mounted on a metal roller skate frame with wooden wheels.
A pair of brown leather shoes with silver buckles, resting on a green cutting mat.A pair of brown leather shoes with silver buckles, resting on a green cutting mat.
A variety of boots, including brown leather, green and orange patterned, and black styles, displayed on a white shelf.A variety of boots, including brown leather, green and orange patterned, and black styles, displayed on a white shelf.
A man with a beard and curly hair is sitting with his arms crossed, next to a wooden wall clock.A man with a beard and curly hair is sitting with his arms crossed, next to a wooden wall clock.
A woman with curly hair wears a white shirt and multiple colorful necklaces while looking thoughtfully to the side.A woman with curly hair wears a white shirt and multiple colorful necklaces while looking thoughtfully to the side.
A polished brown leather shoe with a white leather strap and decorative fringe.A polished brown leather shoe with a white leather strap and decorative fringe.

Their workshop is very reminiscent of what a typical Italian bespoke shoemaker’s workshop looks like. It reminded me of my time in Stefano Bemer and had a feel of Roberto Ugolini’s, too. Being that they studied under Ugolini, it makes sense. Naturally, I felt right at home as nostalgia kicked in.

Their story is that of a movie, maybe even an Italian love story, played by Mastroianni himself. For those who do not know, Marcello Mastroianni is one of Italy’s most iconic actors, and the inspiration for the name of Marcellino Shoemakers.

Giulio and Caterina met at Académie Riacci, a shoemaking school in Florence. They became best friends and spent every waking moment together during their time in Florence. If I recall correctly, they then both went to work under Roberto Ugolini, who is one of Florence’s longest-running bespoke shoemakers still going. I think that by this time they had decided to make their friendship into a lifelong bond. A bond that is very beautiful.

A polished black leather shoe with a cream-colored leather detail on the vamp.A polished black leather shoe with a cream-colored leather detail on the vamp.
A collection of wooden and plastic shoe lasts, some marked with numbers and names, hanging on a wooden rack.A collection of wooden and plastic shoe lasts, some marked with numbers and names, hanging on a wooden rack.
A pair of polished brown leather shoes, one with a loafer design and the other with laces, displayed side by side.A pair of polished brown leather shoes, one with a loafer design and the other with laces, displayed side by side.
A vintage sewing machine with a white lamp and spools of thread in various colors on a table.A vintage sewing machine with a white lamp and spools of thread in various colors on a table.
A framed advertisement featuring the text "GOOD YEAR" in large yellow letters, with three Goodyear tires displayed above it.A framed advertisement featuring the text "GOOD YEAR" in large yellow letters, with three Goodyear tires displayed above it.
The image shows the sole of a brown leather shoe with a light-colored wooden heel.The image shows the sole of a brown leather shoe with a light-colored wooden heel.

After some years there, they decided to have at it on their own and create their own company. Since Giulio is from Rome, and Rome is the epicenter of Italy, they decided to create their workshop there. Caterina also had ties to Rome, but originated from Calabria, a proud Calabrese as it were ;-).

As a brand, they are quite young but have a lot of experience overall. Their system is quite smart. Giulio measures the feet, and I believe he also makes the lasts. Caterina creates the patterns, designs, and uppers. And then they work together to finish the shoe.

A burgundy leather dress shoe with a brogue design and a low wooden heel.A burgundy leather dress shoe with a brogue design and a low wooden heel.
A workbench with various leather scraps and yellow measuring tapes hanging from the side.A workbench with various leather scraps and yellow measuring tapes hanging from the side.
A cluttered shoemaker's workbench with various tools, leather scraps, and containers.A cluttered shoemaker's workbench with various tools, leather scraps, and containers.
A black and burgundy shoe mold with decorative studs is placed on a blue cutting mat, alongside leather scraps and tools.A black and burgundy shoe mold with decorative studs is placed on a blue cutting mat, alongside leather scraps and tools.
A black leather shoe with burgundy suede accents is shown on a work surface surrounded by various materials and tools.A black leather shoe with burgundy suede accents is shown on a work surface surrounded by various materials and tools.
A black shoe mold with red suede patches and leather pieces is surrounded by crafting materials on a blue cutting mat.A black shoe mold with red suede patches and leather pieces is surrounded by crafting materials on a blue cutting mat.
A trash bin with a red basketball hoop attached, filled with plastic bottles and crumpled paper.A trash bin with a red basketball hoop attached, filled with plastic bottles and crumpled paper.
A polished brown leather dress shoe with decorative broguing and a low heel.A polished brown leather dress shoe with decorative broguing and a low heel.

I am particularly fond of Caterina’s designs, which is what caught my eye when I came across them on Instagram. I feel similarities in my own eye for design and wonder how much of that comes from spending one’s shoemaking beginnings in the city of Florence. I stop, and I realize that one thing about Florentine shoemakers (or shoemakers who trained there) is their affinity with fringes, two-tones, saddle shoes, and everything else that is unique.

They were so kind as to offer to make me a pair of shoes. I did not expect that, but I was happy to partake in a new bespoke project. I won’t lie, I am very excited about seeing how it comes out. Being that I appreciate Caterina’s eye for design, I pretty much gave her free rein, indicating that I wanted a two-tone fringe loafer 😉 Can’t wait to see how it comes out!

A polished brown leather shoe with decorative stitching and a low heel.A polished brown leather shoe with decorative stitching and a low heel.
A polished brown leather shoe with laces and a slightly pointed toe.A polished brown leather shoe with laces and a slightly pointed toe.
A polished brown leather shoe with decorative stitching and a low heel.A polished brown leather shoe with decorative stitching and a low heel.
A close-up of the smooth, polished sole of a brown leather shoe.A close-up of the smooth, polished sole of a brown leather shoe.

Their shoes are excellent, and their prices are great. They are low, as are most Italian shoemakers. I suggested to them that they make them higher, so you’d better get them while you can.

I had a great time with Giulio and Caterina, and I really wish to see them succeed. The more time I spend in this industry, the more I feel that the best thing about getting products is actually supporting the people behind them. Nothing feels better than getting a great product from great people, and Marcellino Shoemakers are without a doubt, some very great people!

If you are ever looking for bespoke shoemakers in Rome, I highly suggest giving them a visit and meeting them. I promise you will enjoy it!

Learn more here: https://www.instagram.com/marcellino_shoemakers/

—Justin FitzPatrick, The Shoe Snob

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A polished brown leather shoe with a suede upper and decorative perforations.A polished brown leather shoe with a suede upper and decorative perforations.
Three pairs of handcrafted shoes: a black lace-up with a beige toe, a brown slip-on with a white fringed strap, and a black loafer with a textured white panel.Three pairs of handcrafted shoes: a black lace-up with a beige toe, a brown slip-on with a white fringed strap, and a black loafer with a textured white panel.
A brown leather piece with white thread and a silver hammer on a light green surface.A brown leather piece with white thread and a silver hammer on a light green surface.
A pair of black and white open-toed shoes displayed on a wooden surface.A pair of black and white open-toed shoes displayed on a wooden surface.
A collection of shoemaking tools, including metal lasts and wooden handles, arranged on a workbench.A collection of shoemaking tools, including metal lasts and wooden handles, arranged on a workbench.
A pair of brown leather shoes with white protective paper around the soles is displayed on a workbench.A pair of brown leather shoes with white protective paper around the soles is displayed on a workbench.
The image shows the sole of a burgundy leather shoe featuring a decorative pattern in a lighter color.The image shows the sole of a burgundy leather shoe featuring a decorative pattern in a lighter color.
A close-up of a burgundy leather shoe featuring intricate detailing and laces.A close-up of a burgundy leather shoe featuring intricate detailing and laces.
A close-up of a shoe sole featuring a decorative design in light and dark brown leather.A close-up of a shoe sole featuring a decorative design in light and dark brown leather.
A close-up of a burgundy leather shoe featuring a textured finish and a stacked wooden heel.A close-up of a burgundy leather shoe featuring a textured finish and a stacked wooden heel.
A close-up of a red leather dress shoe with decorative perforations and a brown wooden heel.A close-up of a red leather dress shoe with decorative perforations and a brown wooden heel.
A brown leather shoe with a contrasting dark brown suede toe and decorative stitching.A brown leather shoe with a contrasting dark brown suede toe and decorative stitching.
A brown leather shoe with a textured finish and a suede toe cap.A brown leather shoe with a textured finish and a suede toe cap.
A polished brown leather shoe with a suede toe cap and decorative brogue detailing.A polished brown leather shoe with a suede toe cap and decorative brogue detailing.
A brown leather shoe with a suede accent and laces sits on a textured green surface.A brown leather shoe with a suede accent and laces sits on a textured green surface.
A brown leather shoe with a cream-colored fabric upper and a lace detail.A brown leather shoe with a cream-colored fabric upper and a lace detail.
A close-up of a brown leather shoe with a cream-colored canvas toe and a decorative lace.A close-up of a brown leather shoe with a cream-colored canvas toe and a decorative lace.
A brown leather shoe with a white fabric toe and a light-colored lace.A brown leather shoe with a white fabric toe and a light-colored lace.
A polished, brown leather shoe with a low heel and decorative stitching.A polished, brown leather shoe with a low heel and decorative stitching.
A close-up of the brown leather sole of a shoe with a polished finish.A close-up of the brown leather sole of a shoe with a polished finish.
A close-up of the shiny black sole of a shoe, showcasing its sleek design and smooth finish.A close-up of the shiny black sole of a shoe, showcasing its sleek design and smooth finish.
A polished dark leather shoe with a decorative buckle and intricate detailing on the toe.A polished dark leather shoe with a decorative buckle and intricate detailing on the toe.
A close-up of a polished, metallic gray leather shoe featuring intricate decorative stitching on the toe.A close-up of a polished, metallic gray leather shoe featuring intricate decorative stitching on the toe.
A close-up of a dark brown leather shoe featuring a decorative buckle and intricate detailing.A close-up of a dark brown leather shoe featuring a decorative buckle and intricate detailing.
A polished red leather shoe with a decorative strap and stitching details.A polished red leather shoe with a decorative strap and stitching details.
A polished dark leather shoe with intricate detailing and a metal buckle.A polished dark leather shoe with intricate detailing and a metal buckle.
A polished brown leather loafer with a decorative strap and a low heel.A polished brown leather loafer with a decorative strap and a low heel.
Wooden shoe lasts in various shapes, including a detailed foot mold, displayed on a wooden surface.Wooden shoe lasts in various shapes, including a detailed foot mold, displayed on a wooden surface.
A wooden table cluttered with shoemaking tools, leather shoes, and a mallet sits beside a chair in a workshop.A wooden table cluttered with shoemaking tools, leather shoes, and a mallet sits beside a chair in a workshop.
A blue electric tool is resting on a worn brown cabinet with multiple drawers in a shoemaker's workshop.A blue electric tool is resting on a worn brown cabinet with multiple drawers in a shoemaker's workshop.
A collection of leather scraps in various shades, including brown and tan, scattered on a worktable.A collection of leather scraps in various shades, including brown and tan, scattered on a worktable.
The image shows the sole of a brown leather shoe with a green textured heel.The image shows the sole of a brown leather shoe with a green textured heel.





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