I understand that you you use different techniques: the double stitching Blake rapid or the single stitching Blake. Why not Goodyear? Do you favor lightness?
Yes, exactly. We chose the Blake-Rapid construction for 3 reasons:
1) it’s less expensive than Goodyear and that allows us to pass on the savings to our customer by pricing our shoes under 200 euros
2) the double stitching still allows for re-soling after a few years if necessary; thus making Blake-Rapid comparable to Goodyear
3) we believe they are a bit softer and more comfortable
What is the vision for your current collection? How would you define your collection?
Our collection is best defined as classic with grit. Or classic with a young twist. Our customers are mostly between 25 and 50 years old, and they want high quality classic styles with a fresh twist to them.
What is you favorite Velasca model and why?
My favorite model is Baròn, a classic oxford shoe with incredibly beautiful dark brown tumbled leather on the upper that makes it stand out from the crowd.
How does your shoes fit?
Our fit is standard on most models. If you’ve got size 42 on one model, you can bet you’ve got the same size on all our collection (we’ve worked hard for this to happen). Our sizes are perfectly in line with classic English shoes. For example, Church’s UK 9 corresponds to our 43, Church’s UK 8 is our 42, UK 7 is our 41 and so on.
Any plans for a MTO program in the future? Are you thinking of producing small series, the so-called MTO groups?
Absolutely, but not before 2016.
What are your favorite places to spend your evenings?
My favorite place in Milan is via Solferino; particularly the restaurant called Zaza Ramen and the bar/lounge Dry. Perfect for a dinner + drinks in style.
What is your favorite word?
Style. It’s different from fashion.
What is your least favorite word?
Fashion of course.
What turns you on (creatively, spiritually or emotionally)?
Seeing people that express themselves with our products is a great source of inspiration.
What turns you off?
Cheap products sold at expensive prices because of wrong business models.
What is your favorite curse word?
What the hell!
What sound or a noise do you love?
The sounds of hand-making a shoe.
What sound or noise do you hate?
Factory noise.
What profession would you not like to do?
Any profession that would make me repeat the same job over and over again.
What’s the most satisfying part of your job?
Creating and prototyping new models that get the approval to go into production.
What’s the most difficult part of your job?
Having the right visibility to the right people without overpaying for advertisement.
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Well done!
