Handmade Custom Shoes
Made to your feet, not to a size. Fine Italian leather and suede, cut, lasted, stitched, and finished by hand, one pair at a time.
Built by hand, to your own feet
Every pair is made by Ricardo Villalobos, a second-generation master cobbler, measured and patterned to your own feet, never pulled off a shelf and stretched to fit. Fine Italian leather and suede, cut, lasted, stitched, and finished by hand: wingtips to the cowboy boots he has loved making since the family factory in El Salvador.
Any size, color, and style. If you can describe the pair, he can build it.
- Men's: wingtips, full brogues, oxfords, loafers, and derbies.
- Women's: flats, pumps, and heels, open and closed toe.
- Boots: cowboy, work, and lace-up.
For feet that hurt in store-bought shoes
Hard-to-fit feet, uneven sizes, long days that end in aching: this is exactly who custom is for.
Fitting difficult feet is Ricardo's specialty, and it shows in the build, not the look. Because every pair is made to your feet, support and fit aren't corrections added at the end. They're where the shoe begins, in any style you want: wingtips to work boots, pumps to cowboy boots.
Fittings happen locally in the DMV, and Ricardo can ship anywhere. Ask us for a quote on the pair you have in mind.
“As a woman who knows and loves shoes, I was thrilled to discover a craftsman of his caliber in DC! … The boots and shoes were made from the best leather and exceeded my expectations in fit, look and durability. The compliments I receive each time I wear them speak for themselves.”
Maura L. Dunn, Rockville, Maryland, from a 2009 letter of recommendation
How a pair gets built
- Pattern. It starts with your feet: Ricardo measures them and cuts a pattern to them. Feet aren't identical, and the shoes should know it.
- Materials. Fine Italian leather and suede. Color, style, and details are decided with Ricardo at order time.
- Build. Cut to your pattern, lasted, stitched, and finished by hand.
- Fitting. Fittings happen locally in the DMV. Not local? Ricardo can make your pair and ship it anywhere.
Repairs, shines and leather goods
Not every job is a new pair. Shoes you already love get rebuilt and brought back at the same bench:
- Heel repair and replacement
- Leather and rubber sole replacement
- Heel and toe protectors
- Custom shoe dyeing
- Leather and suede reconditioning and waterproofing
- Shoe shining
Beyond footwear, Ricardo repairs and makes luggage, handbags, belts, hats, and leather garments.
Ask us about a repairThe other side of the bench: Ricardo also rebuilds restaurant, marine, and auto seating, and restores furniture and antiques.
Start a pair.
Send us a photo of your feet or a shoe you love, with a note on what you want. Every pair is made to your feet.