Ventesima Strada

CRAFTSMAN STYLE TIMELESS

Research

Our research is of a cultural kind. We have no wish to be innovative at all costs, we prefer to perfect what was already considered flawless, to make comfortable what is uncomfortable and to bring back into use what was previously abandoned through errors in judgement. The research is as much to do with the future as it is the past, in the widest sense. Everything can be made useful, with influence from other genres and nothing is taken for granted

Quality

Nowadays there is so much talk ofquality, with the concept very often extended to undeserving products. Ventesima Strada footwear however really does express the definition of absolute quality. Try our quality and compare it to the quality of others. We are sure that our products will triumph every time.

Passion

No sterile workshop where the accent is on numbers but a group of experts with different ideas who debate and exchange them. This is the basis of our passion and our Italian character. Different points of view and different paths, but with one common objective; to create the best possible product for our customers. All the various aspects of Ventesima Strada all go into our footwear; rough in appearancebut kind on the feet.

Durability

A consideration that is too often overlooked in today's market, durability is one of the fundamental features of our footwear. The materials we use to make our shoes are very hardwearing and, if used properly, they can last for decades. The Vintage design in itself ensures the product will not become obsolete in terms of aesthetics either.

How was born

A PATH THAT TELLS OUR PASSION

Hand lasting

The start

During the design phase, when the shoe is not yet a shoe but just a series of ideas and materials, the first thing we turn our attention to is the comfort of the shoe on the foot.The upperis adapted to the last using pliers, a hammer and nails. Only after several trials and adjustmentsis the final shape achieved that will fit the foot perfectly.

Clicking

"Clicking" or cutting the leather by hand is an operation that sets our production apart from mass production techniques, approaching the ideal of an artisan-based product that is made to measure. Cutting by hand allows us direct contact with the leather and we can therefore ensure that it is top quality and does not have any defects.

Skiving

By the process of skiving the leather is thinned down in certain crucial points which otherwise would reduce the comfort of the foot. Knowing where, how and by how much to thin the leather is an operation that requires experience and skill; for each item of footwear the skiving process is different and is carried out ad hoc.

Marking

Once the leather has been cut, it is marked by hand to facilitate the complex process of closing with guidelines. In this way order is given to the various pieces that make up the shoe and once again this is an opportunity to check the quality of all the components.

Embroidery

The first distinctive element

Embroidering our trademark on the tongue of our footwear, never invasive and purposely designed not to compromise the aesthetic appearance, denotes our Vintage style and love of detail. The shoes are embroidered individually choosing colours that match the leather.

Riveting

Riveting is the process of fixing to the shoe the metal parts (commonly called "hardware") through which the laces are threaded. This is precision work and even a single mistake could cause irreparable damage to the shoe. Our hardware consists of parts in Vintage style taken from sports shoes of the 1970s, as well asinnovative fastening systems, without ever resorting to mere Zip fastening, very practical in use but now associated with low level footwear.

First sewing

Norwegian construction

Norwegian stitching, carried out by hand and an important feature of our shoemaking process, joins the leather welt to the upper. It is the most important operation in making our footwear because it distinguishes our authentic workmanship from other footwear, on which a false prefabricated stitching is used. The complex stitching makes the bottom of the shoe indestructible.

Flattening

The flattening process folds the welt, originally straight, to an angle of 90 degrees, in order to prepare it for the next stage. This is a very tiring operation and like all the other stages in our manufacturing process requires uncommon skill, precision and experience.

Second stitching

The second stitching fixes the midsole in shock absorbing material to the welt and concludes the Norwegian construction. Like the first stitching, this is 100% authentic and requires the same degree of master craftsmanship. The result obtained is footwear typical of the Montebelluna shoemaking district, famous the whole world over.

Gluing

The outsoles, with a typical "commando" pattern, are bound to the midsole made in EVA. The outsole is the fifth and final layer that insulates the foot from the ground.The upper layers are the: anatomic insole, lasting board in leather, filling and midsole. It should be noted that the sole is not of a size ready for use, but needs to be trimmed once glued to the upper, as can be seen in the photo at the side.

Trimming

Trimming the outsole, midsole and welt is another of those operations, typical of our workmanship, in which any errors will cause irreparable damage to the footwear. A high speed shaving tool is used to remove excess material from the sole of the shoe until a clean and harmonious line is obtained.

Buffing

This operation takes place by means of a rotating polishing wheel covered with wax. The purpose of this is to polish and finish the sole and the welt, which otherwise would have sharp edges after trimming. Once buffing is complete the bottom of the shoe is polished and protected by the wax layer.

Finishing

Finishing comprises a series of around fifteen different operations, that range from cleaning the shoe and polishing it, adding the laces and packing in a box, labelling and inserting the anatomic insole. By the time the finishing operations have all been completed, many hours will have passed since the shoemaking process began, but the shoe is finally ready to wear.

A Successful Product

HANDMADE IN ITALY

A quality style

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