This is Bespoke Italian Sandal Making
More Than Footwear. A Thriving Tradition.
You can spot it instantly. The silhouette. The simplicity.
The kind of elegance that never tries too hard, but always holds attention.
These aren’t just sandals. They’re a conversation between fashion, culture, and craftsmanship -- an ancient tradition still alive in the hands of a few along Italy’s Amalfi Coast.
A Craft Shaped by Time and PlaceÂ
The origins of Italian sandal making trace back centuries, all the way to the Roman Empire. Functional footwear. Handmade. Built for movement and protection.Â
Later, in the small fishing villages along Italy’s southern coast, sandals continued to be made by hand, shaped with simple tools, soft leathers, and crafted to match the rhythm of daily life. Practical and made to last.
Then, the season changed.
In the 1940s and 50s, the Amalfi Coast and Capri began to draw travellers from around the world, jet setters, artists, and holidaymakers in search of beauty, style, and sea air. And with them came a new chapter for the sandal.
By the 60s, women like Jackie Onassis, Sophia Loren, and Grace Kelly were photographed strolling those same cobbled streets in custom Italian sandals,Â
timeless, minimal, unmistakably elegant. Handmade by artisans whose families had been practising the craft for generations.
What began in the quiet workshops of coastal villages was now worn on the world stage.
Each sandal is, and has always been, a conversation between the maker and the wearer.
Your foot is measured, leathers, accessories and other elements are chosen, and your pair is handcrafted in minutes — shaped around your foot, designed to reflect your style.
This is much more than shopping. It’s personal. A celebration that honours both the craft and the individual.
At Sandal School, we carry that tradition forward. In the footsteps of artisans who came before us, we’re making this experience, and the skill behind it, more accessible to women around the world.
Women who want to create with care. Build something lasting. And be part of something meaningful.
By honouring this heritage and sharing what we’ve learned, we help ensure it continues — not just for us, but for our children and the generations to come.
Learn the Craft