Machado Handmade

8/09

The artisan’s workshop is always a magical place. Of course, it’s even better when the artisan is not only excellent at his work, as he’s very generous in spending some time talking about all the little details that make his work so special.

During my visit, Zé managed to show me how he goes about making his patterns using tape and the old shoe forms, and also talked about all the execution process he goes through to achieve an excellent craftsmanship in his pieces. These shoes are not just shoes. They are complex items that are born from each and every decision he makes throughout the process. There are soles that are sewn using a boar’s thin hair as a needle. There are details that demand that the stitches be made one by one exactly over another line of stitches. There are special techniques he created to finish the pointy toes that are so characteristic of his work. There’s also a lot of spent time looking for the right materials - the Caliga model has a sole covered with old traditional nails - and even more time spent on the experiments that lead to that perfect piece.