In his Broad Avenue shop, Joseph Wendt builds wardrobes around fit, considering every detail from sleeve length to button design. But shoes presented a problem. A client might commission a $5,000 suit only to pair it with off-the-rack footwear. Ten years ago, Joseph found his solution at a Florence trade show, where he met master shoemaker Mario Bemer.
Based in Italy, Mario maintains a tight U.S. portfolio, with the Naples shop as his only Florida distributor. Working from Mario’s collection, Joseph specifies adjustments—millimeters added to the instep for a high arch, width extended at the ball of the foot. For fully custom commissions, Mario flies in to observe the subtleties of a client’s posture and gait. After leathers and detailings are selected, Mario cuts, dyes and assembles the shoes in Florence over four to nine months. A final fitting allows for adjustments before the pair leaves the shop, ready to move in lockstep with its owner.
Photography by Anna Nguyen
joesph wendt italian leather shoes naples white loafers
Joseph stocks Mario’s full range—oxfords, monk straps and boots—but Southwest Florida clients favor the loafers. In this pair, waterproofed suede softens the structured silhouette.
Photography by Anna Nguyen
joesph wendt italian leather shoes naples black
Norwegian welting provides decorative contrast against sleek black leather and makes the boot more resistant to water.
Photography by Anna Nguyen
joesph wendt italian leather shoes naples green
Kudu leather flexes with each step. The grain tightens and relaxes with wear, developing an elegant patina over time.
Photography by Anna Nguyen
joesph wendt italian leather shoes naples blue
Before the leather is cut, Mario tans it by hand, using vegetable-based dyes to build color in layers. The leather is then sealed to protect the surface and lock in the finish.