Photo: The Sartorialist
I've corresponded for some time with Francesco D'Urso, a Milanese shoe lover and co-founder of the shoe company SW1 who, like me, has been looking for a rare copy of a three volume set of Apparel Arts images that was published in Italy in 1989. Francesco was surprised when a Sartorialist photo of Luca Rubinacci wearing a pair of SW1's tasselled loafers brought a wave of interest in their very tasty designs. He shouldn't have been.
SW1 offers four lines of shoes and slippers that look like what you'd expect from Milanese men who love to shop in London's St. James. The shoes, and a small range of accessories that includes some excellent knit neckties, are displayed in a good looking central Milan store that's adjacent to the Museo Poldi Pezzoli art museum.
I particularly like the Vendome loafers from SW1's Grandi Maestri Italiani line, but they weren't in stock in my size recently and it was summer casuals that I needed anyway. So I chose two pair of lightly constructed slip-ons, the Hampton model on the left and the Sloop on the right in the photo in shades of red, figuring I can wear that color with everything. The Sloop is the shoe Sr. Rubinacci is wearing in the photo that begins this story.
SW1's welted shoes are priced between 540 and 720 Euros (432 to 576 Euros ex VAT, or $544 to $726) and the Blake constructed versions like mine are 350 Euros (280 Euros ex VAT, or approximately $350 a pair).
To paraphrase the Michelin Guide, SW1 is worth a visit. But they know how to ship as well.
I've corresponded for some time with Francesco D'Urso, a Milanese shoe lover and co-founder of the shoe company SW1 who, like me, has been looking for a rare copy of a three volume set of Apparel Arts images that was published in Italy in 1989. Francesco was surprised when a Sartorialist photo of Luca Rubinacci wearing a pair of SW1's tasselled loafers brought a wave of interest in their very tasty designs. He shouldn't have been.
SW1 offers four lines of shoes and slippers that look like what you'd expect from Milanese men who love to shop in London's St. James. The shoes, and a small range of accessories that includes some excellent knit neckties, are displayed in a good looking central Milan store that's adjacent to the Museo Poldi Pezzoli art museum.
I particularly like the Vendome loafers from SW1's Grandi Maestri Italiani line, but they weren't in stock in my size recently and it was summer casuals that I needed anyway. So I chose two pair of lightly constructed slip-ons, the Hampton model on the left and the Sloop on the right in the photo in shades of red, figuring I can wear that color with everything. The Sloop is the shoe Sr. Rubinacci is wearing in the photo that begins this story.
SW1's welted shoes are priced between 540 and 720 Euros (432 to 576 Euros ex VAT, or $544 to $726) and the Blake constructed versions like mine are 350 Euros (280 Euros ex VAT, or approximately $350 a pair).
To paraphrase the Michelin Guide, SW1 is worth a visit. But they know how to ship as well.
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4 comments:
Thanks, Will, these are beautiful shoes, but I’ve had little success with Italian loafers. The English and American aesthetic seems to work better for me.
An additional problem is that most Italian slip-ons have been so lightly built that I soon pound them into shapeless messes despite the rigorous use of trees. Interestingly, that has not been the case with some English versions I’ve had even though they’re almost as lightly built. I think the English shoes have had slightly stiffer soles and insoles that better resist the torque I evidently apply while walking.
Will,
I am sure you have already gone this route, but for the benefit of some other readers who might want to look at a copy of this book, according to Worldcat, there are 13 libraries in the United States with that Apparel Arts book you speak of. One can probably do an inter-library request from his local library. Even the esteemed NY Public Library does not have it - I had to request a copy from the Queens College library which holds it.
Other than that, I agree, it is a near impossible book to get a hold of.
Will - I too own a pair of the Sloops and love them. In regards to the construction and overall wear and tear the shoe can withstand (re: tim's comment)...it remains to be seen. I agree they are thinner soles compared to american shoes so we'll see. I do love them though.
Thank you will for the post; do you know of any stores that carry their shoes or must you order directly from them?
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