The luxury shoe industry is notoriously difficult to break into, with esteemed heritage brands in England, Italy, and France having something of a stranglehold on the market. From the workshops in Northamptonshire to the ateliers in Tuscany, handmade shoes demand a premium that is often eye-watering, so when a disruptor comes along and promises handmade styles from family-run workshops in Italy at a fraction of the price, your ears should prick up.
When we were first introduced to M.Gemi, the Italian shoemaker launched in 2015 by Sicilian Maria Gangemi, we were left wondering what the catch was. No hype, no excess. Just peerless materials, generational skill, and the kind of quiet confidence that only comes from Italy’s luxury shoemaking heartland.
Shoes Made By Italy
The ‘Made in Italy’ moniker has long been a globally recognised code for quality, but M.Gemi prefers ‘Made By Italy’. Dig into the production process and it’s easy to see why.
Gangemi’s interest in luxury craft was shaped by her childhood in Italy and over three decades in creative and merchandising roles, during which she saw many of the artisan Italian workshops she loved close. M.Gemi’s production takes place entirely in Italy, where they seek out not only the best workshops but also craftsmen with particular expertise in the shoe styles for which M.Gemi has become renowned.
The leather used comes exclusively from Italian tanneries certified by the Leather Working Group, and production stays deliberately small-batch. Selling direct to market avoids retail mark-ups, making a slice of Italian craftsmanship less of a financial hit.
4 Shoes That Belong in Your Rotation
The Felize Uomo
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- The Felize Uomo – Black Suede
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- The Felize Uomo – Chocolate Suede
This classic driving shoe was the first style created by M.Gemi and remains the brand’s best-seller to this day. Boasting an incredibly soft feel, the moccasin construction means a single piece of hand-stitched Italian suede wraps the sides and sole, delivering barefoot-level flexibility and comfort.
Inside, a calf leather lining caresses the foot, while the iconic natural rubber gommini sole provides perfect grip. Every pair is made by Norina and her team in a workshop in Pistoia, hand-stitching just 60 pairs per day.
Crafted from Leather Working Group-certified leathers, this is a driving shoe that shouldn’t be confined to the car.
The Filare
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- The Filare – Chestnut Leather
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- The Filare – Chestnut Leather
The Filare is a sleek, modern iteration of the penny loafer, only with a twist, quite literally. Where the original penny style’s coin holder is flat, the Filare has it twisted for a slightly more decorative finish.
Hand-burnished Italian calf leather develops a deep, individual patina from day one, while grosgrain binding adds a discreet level of refinement. A full Italian leather sole meets a stacked leather heel finished with a discreet rubber tap, and inside the loafer comes lined in a blend of leather and suede, all handmade in Tuscany by Alessio.
Available in black and chestnut styles, it’s an excellent option to pair with sharp tailoring or summer separates.
The Niccolo
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- The Niccolo – Black Suede
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- The Niccolo – Black Leather
There isn’t a shoemaker on earth that hasn’t produced a Chelsea boot, precisely because it’s such a versatile style, but not all Chelsea boots are made equally. The Niccolo gets it spot-on with a smart silhouette underpinned by a rugged 30mm Margom rubber sole that guarantees durability across the seasons.
Supple Italian calf suede/leather, plus classic elastic side panels and a rear pull tab make M.Gemi’s iteration supremely comfortable. Meanwhile, a leather welt and an Italian calf leather lining are a reminder of the quality.
The suede options come in black, black clay, and espresso tones, while there’s also a black leather style, all of which look super stylish with off-duty looks.
The Fabio
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- The Fabio – Black Suede
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- The Fabio – Black Suede
Is there such a thing as a perfect year-round shoe? The Fabio must be close to it.
Something of a hybrid, with ultra-soft Italian calf suede hand-stitched in traditional loafer form, the Fabio is set on a sneaker-weight rubber sole for a preppy finish. The result is a refined slip-on that you can pair with relaxed tailoring whatever the season.
Being extremely comfortable, it’s an excellent traveller as well, and a great way to bookend sophisticated resortwear. Handmade in Tuscany, and available in four understated suede tones, the Fabio is a laidback all-rounder and an ideal addition to modern smart-casual wardrobes.
Four Shoes. One Unmistakable Standard
For wardrobes that lean into a refined European aesthetic, these four luxury shoe styles by M.Gemi are a welcome addition. With the assurance of handmade quality by Italy’s finest artisans, and a price point we’re definitely on board with, M.Gemi isn’t reinventing luxury Italian shoes, but they are rewriting the rule book when it comes to production values and cost.
Small-batch manufacturing in family-run workshops using Leather Working Group-certified leathers also means that they’re minimising their environmental footprint too, while ensuring the longevity of artisanal skills.
In M.Gemi, we’ve found a shoe maker that offers handmade craftsmanship, premium leather, and timeless aesthetics at a really reasonable price. We’ll wager they’re some of the most comfortable shoes you’ll ever wear, too.
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A paid partnership with M.Gemi – words and opinions are Ape’s own.
