THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

ROLLS-ROYCE ENTHUSIASTS’ CLUB

THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

BAREFOOT PHILOSOPHY Thierry Rabotin

SHOE DESIGNER THIERRY Rabotin arrived in Italy

process. “The way we work is based on more than

in 1985 with a vision – to create shoes that put

30 years’ experience,” says Karl. “For example,

timeless, understated elegance and comfort above

we make our own lasts – the model on which

high fashion and passing fads. The French designer

a shoemaker works. They’re the base of everything.

chose Parabiago, a municipality near Milan, as his

We are one of the few who use artisans, we go

base. The region’s shoe-making craftsmanship is

to the local last makers and sit with them, adding

widely recognised as being among the finest in the

a little here and taking a bit off there.”

world, and luxury brands such as Louboutin and Chanel also do most of their manufacturing there.

“Giovanna Ceolini, our partner, tries them on to

Thierry Rabotin’s luxury comfort shoes – from

see if she likes them,” says Karl. “Based on this

elegant peep-toe wedges to versatile pumps –

we develop the next collection.” These shoes are

are designed with such care that they are said to

stocked in more than 50 countries and have a loyal

give the sensation of walking barefoot. The leather

following of professional women who will pay

is sourced from the best tanneries in Italy, while the

a premium for comfortable shoes that serve them

extra-soft memory foam used for padding comes

well in the office and out. “They’re not for young

from the US and the shoes are assembled in the

girls,” says Karl. “It’s a shoe you buy for your

brand’s own factory.

own pleasure – you like it because it feels good

“Each pair of shoes is a fine balance between form and function,” says Karl Schlecht, Thierry Rabotin’s business partner and the “philosopher”

but people will not know that it’s a comfort shoe.

It’s like a cashmere sweater.”

Thierry Rabotin often works in close

behind the brand. “But the performance of the

collaboration with its customers who might come

shoe always comes first.”

up with specific requirements. “Over the years,

The “sacchetto” technique used by the brand

we’ve specialised in made-to-order footwear,” says

requires nearly 200 production stages for each pair

Karl. “We can adjust colours and heel heights as

of shoes and guarantees a particularly comfortable

requested.” And the use of artisanal workshops

product. This traditional method makes the shoes

means that a one-off pair can be produced quickly

lighter and better cushioned, and allows the

and efficiently.

foot to move more freely. “Sacchetto had nearly

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After this work is done, a trial pair is produced.

The care and attention that Thierry Rabotin

disappeared by the 1990s,” explains Karl, “but

and his team put into their shoes is clearly paying

when we started to develop the luxury comfort

off and plans are afoot to hone the manufacturing

concept it was an obvious choice because it

process even further. As Karl says: “We have the

produces soft, flexible and lightweight footwear.”

entire supply chain under our control in order to

Each shoe’s journey from sketchbook to

make sure that the high-quality shoes we make

shoe box is long and involves many hands, so

are the best they can possibly be.”

knowledge and care are vital at every stage of the

— www.thierryrabotin.us

ELEGANT ATTIRE

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