Buckles and Beginnings
Before I knew how to carve a proper last, I somehow managed to create a Double Monk—my first foray into shoemaking.
I was still a lawyer back in Argentina when I first started dabbling in patternmaking while taking classes after work. My teacher, the wonderful Sylvie Geronimi, handed me a derby pattern, but I simply couldn’t resist turning it into a Double Monk.
That one little twist changed my life: I brought that pair of shoes to Florence, Italy in 2002, crossing the threshold from litigator to apprentice shoemaker.
Historically, Double Monk shoes were a sure sign of luxury. In earlier centuries, metal was expensive—certainly not something you saw on everyone’s feet. So a pair of shoes that boasted not one, but two gleaming buckles said, “I value craftsmanship, and I’m not afraid to show it.”
Some say the style originally evolved from the sturdy buckled footwear worn by European monks, who needed more coverage and protection than ordinary sandals could provide. Over time, that humble monastic invention found its way onto the streets of fashion capitals, reimagined as a hallmark of refined style.
Fast forward to today, and we have our own Double Monk, Joseph. It has my asymmetric pattern with no center back seam—a rarity in footwear—giving it a sleek, modern silhouette.
The silver buckles, in homage to those original metal fastenings, stand out brilliantly against our handmade Marron Mediterraneo patina, a sumptuous blend of burgundy and brown.
Underfoot, a Vibram Gumlite Commando Sole ensures that this shoe isn’t just beautiful, it’s also mercifully comfortable for everyday wear.
Each pair is Goodyear-welted and meticulously hand-finished by our artisan team in Barcelona, Spain.
We use everything from glass to fire to achieve our signature hand-finishing—a process that’s as artful (and occasionally dramatic) as anything Josep Dalmau, the painter who brought avant garde art so Spain might have approved of.
From the long evenings in Buenos Aires when I first traced that derby pattern to the Florence workshop that welcomed me with my first apprenticeship, I’ve poured my heart into every stitch.
I can’t wait for you to slip your feet into a story that spans centuries and continents. I think you’ll agree—it’s a perfect fit.
- Norman Vilalta
The Joseph Double Monk is now available in a small batch in a handmade marron mediterraneo patina.
- French box calf leather from Tanneries du Puy
- Handmade Marron Mediterraeno Patina by our artisan team in Barcelona
- Asymmetric design with no center back seam
- Bench made, Goodyear-welted construction
- Lightweight, durable, and comfortable Vibram Gumlite Commando Sole
- Quilted and padded insole
- Meticulously hand-finished by our team of artisans before shipment
- Delivery in 2 to 3 weeks
- Proudly made in Spain
The color and patina may vary slightly depending on the resolution of your computer screen.