Shoe Factory

Video

BOSABO

Hello! Happy New Year to all of you. It’s been a while since we posted anything new to the blog. But, this new video from Bosabo is truly worth sharing. We at re-souL like to stay true to our roots when it comes to providing a selection of handmade shoes that feature unique craftsmanship.

Bosabo is a traditional yet innovative company. The name itself comes from as shorthand for “Beau Sabot,” meaning “beautiful shoe.” For 125 years, the Audouin family has been committed to bringing together traditional French clog construction and modern styles, all made with locally sourced wood and leather hides. After four generations, over 150 clog designs from Bosabo are now made in their workshop outside of Nantes, France.

Enjoy the video and them come to re-souL to see the new styles we received!

re-souL in Italy (pt 5 of 5) : MOMA

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re-souL in italy : moma factory 04

MOMA’s design studio chalk board

If you’re familiar with re-souL, you’re probably aware of our shoe collections, many of which are specialty handmade products that we’ve imported. We are often asked about how this happens and while it is not as glamorous as you might imagine, we do travel to Italy twice each year, working to select the products that we feature in the shop. This post is the final in a five part series in which we’ll try to describe our trip, the places we go and the people with which we do business. (If you haven’t read the first four parts in the ‘re-souL in Italy’ series, you can catch up here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4)

Midnight Over My Action.  It is not easily translated.  The phrase which inspires the creative energy behind the product is an enigma.  It is the wrinkles on your face and the scars which tell the story of your experience in life.  It is your unique expression, only yours.  It is the same with all things in nature.  Moss grows on the sides of trees, soil erodes where the rains have exploited a weakness.  Rust forms on the side of an old abandoned steel barrel.  All of these things are the evolution of something previous, an expression of history.  MOMA shoes began in 1991 with the thought of creating experiences, not shoes.

re-souL in italy : morrovale countryside

View from the factory window

I began writing this post, our last in the Italy series, with the same approach as previous.  I was going to write about the beautiful countryside, arriving to the town of Morrovalle, up in the hills.  I was going to write about arriving at a place which resembled more a ranch house than a factory.  The people, the smiles, the pride, all of that.  Sure, we toured the place, it was marvelous, well organized and productive.  The shoes are very well made, but that doesn’t really tell the story of MOMA shoes.

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re-souL in Italy (pt 4 of 5) : Fiorentini + Baker, Calz. Ormeda

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The “Elf” boot, under construction in dark suede.

If you’re familiar with re-souL, you’re probably aware of our shoe collections, many of which are specialty handmade products that we’ve imported. We are often asked about how this happens and while it is not as glamorous as you might imagine, we do travel to Italy twice each year, working to select the products that we feature in the shop. This post is the fourth in a five part series in which we’ll try to describe our trip, the places we go and the people with which we do business. (If you haven’t read the first three parts in the ‘re-souL in Italy’ series, you can catch up here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)

Beachfront of Civitanova Marche

Friday we awoke to another beautiful day in Civitanova Marche. It was windy on the coast but we were grateful for more sunshine. First on the day’s agenda was a much anticipated visit to Calzaturificio Ormeda.  Ormeda is the factory which produces Fiorentini + Baker, easily one of our most popular product lines.  We took a quick peek at the Ancona coast before we started our drive, taking the SS77 to Montegranaro, then heading up the hill to Monte San Giusto.

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re-souL in Italy (pt. 3 of 5) : Alberto Fasciani

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Entrance to the Fasciani Factory, unfinished boots on the last.

Taste, Tenacity and Determination….

If you’re familiar with re-souL, you’re probably aware of our shoe collections, many of which are specialty handmade products that we’ve imported. We are often asked about how this happens and while it is not as glamorous as you might imagine, we do travel to Italy twice each year, working to select the products that we feature in the shop. This post is the third in a five part series in which we’ll try to describe our trip, the places we go and the people with which we do business. ( If you haven’t read the first two parts in the ‘re-souL in Italy’ series, you can catch them here: Part 1, Part 2)

After the drive from Tuscany, through Umbria and into the Marche region we arrived into the small town of Fermo where the Alberto Fasciani product is produced. We were feeling very fortunate to be the guest of Alberto and his lovely wife Romina. Right away we knew that we’d arrived at our destination as the Fasciani emblem was displayed outside the entry of a tall, stately building. Once inside, we were greeted by Romina and escorted into the office of Alberto Fasciani. As a small boutique retailer, we are somewhat humbled as Mr. Fasciani sits with us at his desk and begins to describe his company, the products, the process and his vision.

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