Calzoleria Petrocchi di Daniela Ridolfi

General presentation

Our collection is divided into a prêt-à-porter line, featuring ready-to-wear models or pieces available to order in standard sizes (39 to 46) as well as a bespoke line. In both cases, clients may choose from different models, types of leather, as well as the height and thickness of the sole.

Calzoleria Petrocchi works exclusively with carefully selected leathers, including Freudenberg calfskin, naturally tanned French calfskin, aniline-finished calfskin, and the finest exotic hides such as crocodile, ostrich, python, and lizard.

For the sole, midsole, and heel, only genuine natural leather is used.

Notre collection consiste d’une ligne prêt-à-porter, avec des modèles déjà disponibles ou réalisables sur commande dans les tailles standards (du 39 au 46), ainsi qu’en une ligne sur mesure. Dans les deux cas, le client peut choisir parmi différents modèles, le type de cuir, ainsi que la hauteur et l’épaisseur de la semelle.

La Calzoleria Petrocchi utilise exclusivement des cuirs soigneusement sélectionnés, tels que le veau Freudenberg, le veau français tanné naturellement, le veau fini à l’aniline, ainsi que les cuirs exotiques les plus précieux comme le crocodile, l’autruche, le python et le lézard.

Pour la semelle, la semelle intermédiaire et le talon, seul un véritable cuir naturel est employé.

Nuestra colección se divide en una línea prêt-à-porter, con modelos listos para llevar o disponibles por encargo en tallas estándar (de la 39 a la 46), y una línea a medida. En ambos casos, el cliente puede elegir entre distintos modelos, el tipo de piel, así como la altura y el grosor de la suela.

Calzoleria Petrocchi trabaja exclusivamente con pieles cuidadosamente seleccionadas, como el becerro Freudenberg, el becerro francés curtido de forma natural, el becerro acabado en anilina, y las pieles exóticas más preciadas como cocodrilo, avestruz, pitón y lagarto.

Para la suela, la entresuela y el tacón, se utiliza únicamente auténtico cuero natural.

I nostri articoli si distinguono in una linea pret à porter con modelli già pronti o da ordinare su numeri standard (dal 39 al 46) ed in una linea su misura. In entrambi i casi il cliente puó scegliere tra i vari modelli, il tipo di pellame, l’altezza e lo spessore dello sfondo.

La Calzoleria Petrocchi impiega solo pellami selezionati con cura come i vitelli freudenberg, i vitelli francesi conciati al naturale, al lanilina ed i pellami esotici più preziosi come il coccodrillo, lo struzzo, il pitone e la lucertole.

Per la suola, l’intersuola ed il tacco si utilizza solo vero cuoio naturale

Could you describe your profession as if we knew nothing about it?
We produce handmade men’s and women’s shoes, custom-made according to ancient sewing techniques.

What materials do you use?
Only leather and calf tanned in Italy and Europe.

What is your ideal client’s profile?
Someone who values a truly artisanal product and who has a passion for custom-made shoes.

You chose to be a craftsman. Why did this decision feel so evident to you?
Because I have a passion for creative work. I grew up in my father’s shoemaker shop and watched his hands move artfully over lasts and patterns. I breathed the atmosphere of the shop from the time I was a little girl.

Would you define your work as a passion? What is the best moment you have experienced in your craft?
Yes, my work is certainly a passion and a chosen path. The best moment is when an idea is born and begins to take shape in my thoughts.

What role do “talent,” “know-how,” and “creativity” play in your profession?
Talent is innate. Know-how never ends and must be nurtured every day, as it keeps the mind awake and connected, and opens up new resources and new possibilities in our work. Creativity is our hands, the craftsmanship, directly connected to the heart and therefore a tool of passion.

And what about innovation? What has changed since you began? Do you use new materials, tools, processes, marketing? What is the impact of innovation on your work? How could your profession become more innovative?
Innovation in our craft is mainly related to marketing as a tool of communication and to maintaining contact with clients worldwide. In shoemaking, we love to give value to traditional techniques, as we have always done.

Where and for how long did you train before you were ready to start your own business? Imagine you want to invite younger generations to choose your profession: what would be your message to them?
Study the art we come from, because from it you can gain creative tools useful for your work. Acquire creative tools and learn to use your hands to create. Learn to “get your hands dirty.”

In conclusion, describe a meaningful experience or a personal reflection you would like to share with us, and explain why.
Through my work experience, I have learned – and continue to learn every day – to keep my eyes open to the present, to value the past of my family and the country in which I live, and always to cast my heart toward the future.