MATERIALS & LEATHER
Di Bianco™ only uses True Grain leather which is the highest grade of leather that requires no alterations. Our skins come from France and are chosen from the highest quality lots. The skins are tanned using the chrome tanning technique which results in softer and suppler leather that is very stable and more durable than vegetable tanned leather.
HAND LASTING
All Di Bianco™ shoes are made by stretching and tacking the upper to the last (model) of the shoe. The upper is left on the last for 10 days which ensures proper fit and leads to longevity in the shape and integrity of the upper.
THE UPPER
The upper is constructed and sewn entirely by hand. Di Bianco™ includes a comfortable toe liner as well as double lining inside the heel counters. The Goodyear, Norwegian, Black Rapid, and Blake constructions are all done by hand. We include a double cushion under the innersole as well as a cork interlayer or “sugherina” which creates a very comfortable fit after the shoes have been worn a handful of times.
THE SOLE
Raw leather soles and heels are trimmed and beveled to attain the ideal lines and thickness as requested by each customer. The leather is buffed and colored using non toxic pigments. Metal tacks are used to reinforce the toe and heels and to provide an elegant finish.
FINISHING & BURNISHING
This may be one of the most distinguishing attributes of Di Bianco™ shoes. We use the finest polishes and colorants available in our hand polishing process. Di Bianco™ even hand polishes black calfskin. The burnishing of Di Bianco™ shoes is a very long and intensive process that often requires the use of numerous colors in combination to attain the final color. Di Bianco™ employs champagne to enhance the burnishing effect. Several colors offered are “Based on Black” whereby the shoe begins as black calfskin but through the removal of some of the pigmentation and the hand application of additional colors the end result is a smoky multi-layered finish.
