Antonio Vietri – Il Calzolaio d’Oro
The Man Behind the Legend
“I don’t create shoes. I create extensions of your legacy.
Every pair is born from an encounter: I come to you, wherever you are—a palace in Dubai, a villa on Lake Como, a private jet over the Atlantic. I measure your feet with my own hands; I listen to your story; I understand who you are when no one is watching.
Only then does the work begin: from the first initial sketch to the wooden last that will stay with you forever.
This isn’t production. It is private alchemy.
And when the pair is finished, it isn’t just yours: you legally own the copyright alongside me. A legend signed by us both.
The Journey of Your Pair
- Personal Encounter: I come to you. No showrooms, no rush. Multiple measurements, plaster casts, posture analysis, and a study of the way you walk.
- Materials: Only the rarest hides—6 to 8-week-old French calves (Hermès-level or higher), full-grain Nilus Americanus crocodile from CITES-certified farms, hand-selected South African ostrich, or vegan and traditional Cordovan horsehide aged for 12+ months. 18kt or 24kt gold available only upon explicit request, never as a default.
- Craftsmanship: 280–1450 hours of handwork per pair (depending on complexity: Blake-rapid for everyday luxury, Goodyear or Norwegian for a timeless legacy, or full hand-welted construction with over 800 invisible stitches). Each upper is hand-lasted on your personal wooden form and seasoned for months.
- Delivery: I return to you personally for the final fitting and last adjustments. The pair lives with you, not in a box.
Milestones – For Those Who Demand the Facts
- 2026 The Third Record. Currently in preparation: Nouruh, the most expensive Arabian sandal ever realized (Dubai, November). However, the true focus today remains on Private Bespoke—extreme custom pieces for those who truly understand.
- 2023 AVITALAND & Avita: The Future of Fashion. A bridge between physical craftsmanship and the Metaverse, supporting and mentoring the next generation of emerging designers.
- 2019 Moon Stars: The Most Expensive Shoes in the World. Valued at approximately $19.9 million USD. Crafted from solid gold, 30 carats of diamonds, and a fragment of an Argentine meteorite from 1576. A recognized world record debuted on a yacht in Dubai during MIDE Fashion Week as a tribute to the Burj Khalifa.
- 2018 High-Level Recognition. Creations personally presented to Brigitte Macron in Paris. Launch of the “Metropolitan Warriors” charity event for breast cancer awareness. Founded the MIDE project—Made in Italy Designed in Emirates.
- 2017 “Cinderella Today” Collection. The first footwear featuring 24kt gold and diamonds. Delivered via helicopter in black lacquered cases. Showcased at Dubai Fashion Week and the Turin Islamic Economic Forum.
- 2016 The World’s First 24kt Gold Men’s Shoes. Debuted at the Dubai World Trade Center. This marked the beginning of a journey bringing extreme Italian craftsmanship to the Gulf.
These are not just records. They are the proof that for over a decade, I have been creating unrepeatable pieces using extreme materials and Italian artisanal know-how, working directly with clients who seek the impossible.
If you are still not convinced, write to me. I will come to you—and I will show you in person what this truly means.