France, 1930s saw the birth of the very first driving loafers, but they did not meet with success amongst the public; after the war, the patent was bought by the Mostile shoe-makers in Vigevano, Italy, and car shoes made their debut in the Bel Paese.
In 1948, Giulio Miserocchi inherited the shoe crafters founded in 1922 from the Mallerio brothers in Domodossola, and in 1972 bought the patent and the tools from Mostile necessary to create the famous moccasins: machines for shearing, stretching and staking the soles which would then host the famous rubber studs.
From this workshop, Miserocchi’s knowing hands have crafted hundreds and hundreds of moccasins for all the top fashion brands in the globe.
In 2005, he made the decision to produce and sell his own shoes, with a stylized steering wheel branded into the insole, alongside the family name.
The renowned rubber-studded shoe, still today the company’s battle-horse, is available in an infinite range of colours and hides, including the distinguished “novocalf”, a natural calf hide, ideal for the crafting of these driving shoes.
The list of famous clients is endless, and could not fail to include a master of elegance like Gianni Agnelli, who personally saw to the delivery of leathers in rare shades, for the creation of tailor-made shoes with unique details, such as the horseshoe heel.
Today, his sons Riccardo and Davide help the tradition thrive by crafting these masterpieces entirely by hand, using only the finest skins.
Words by Giovanni Onano
Update: Calzaturificio Miserocchi has permanently closed down
