24/06/2026
Quite simply our best shoe yet from Calzoleria Toscana.
Hand coloured calf leather upper on full leather soles using the Blake Rapid construction.
All of our other formal shoes use the standard Blake stitch method, where the upper, insole and outsole are attached with a single stitch. The Blake Rapid method first uses an internal Blake stitch to join the upper and midsole, and then a second external ‘rapid stitch’ to then attach the midsole to an outsole.
While the Blake stitch method produces a lighter and more flexible shoe, the Blake Rapid is slightly heavier and stiffer. It provides more cushion and arch support, is very durable and easier to resole for a very long time. When the outsole does wear out, the cobbler only needs to cut the external rapid stitch to remove the old sole and replace with a new one. The internal stitching and upper is therefore not compromised. And this can be done many times.
We chose this shoe because of how elegant it looked in this colour combination and the detail of the grained leather piece around the lacing and top of the shoe. It has a slight chiselled toe and a very comfortable fit. We did not request the Vibram outsole this time as this shoe deserves to be seen as the true artisans from Calzoleria Toscana made it. A very special shoe.
Hand crafted in Florence, Italy and available instore and online now.
https://vancevivian.co.nz/product/brown-calf-leather-blake-rapid-stitch-oxford-shoe/
