Sensational Shoes in Rome

I had actually considered a blog ONLY about shoes. The only problem was I could never have shared it with certain members of my immediate family. But in order to satisfy everyone who asks me "WHERE did you buy those amazing shoes?" one of my first posts can unabashedly be about these wonderful objects of desire.

I noticed at a reasonably early age that my pretty but plain feet could be transformed into dazzling feet. This discovery lead to regular passion driven hunts for sensational feet transforming shoes. The trick is to find a pair that flatter your feet, ankles, calves and in such a way that when you walk, you have that lovely feminine and very Italian lilt. There's a lot more here than the flashy big names that sell the same styles in all of their stores worldwide, from Manhattan to Omotesando.

OK, the standard designer brands, if you really want to know, are mostly located in the Piazza Di Spagna shopping area. A twenty minute walk up and down the main shopping streets and you will stumble across the majority of the big names. .. Ferragamo, Prada, Jimmy Choo, Weitzman, Prada, Sergio Rossi... but if you're looking for something strikingly impressive, unique, arty or poetic (yes, shoes are most definitely poetic), here is a list of stores where you will find that exquisite pair of shoes.

Herzel de Bach

Without any doubt, my favourite shoe designs. Decidedly impressive, a pair of these sophisticated eye-catching shoes can in effect make an outfit. Reportedly even Monica Bellucci shops here and there's absolutely no way Ms Bellucci could purchase a pair of shoes that doesn't tingle with sensuality. The store's elegantly sculptured 5cm signature heel and its many variations of the skilfully intricate, very sexy black suede flat sandal are a sheer delight. The photo at the top is of Herzel's store display, shoes perched bird-like in a thicket of white branches.

Herzel de Bach
Via Del Babuino 123
Via Di Propaganda 14
(both in the Piazza Di Spagna area)

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Fausto Santini

Santini has been producing its own show-stopping shoes, in premium quality leathers, for three decades. The leathers used are thick, remarkably soft and firm, with a unique finish, and styles are avant-garde both in their architectural quality and unusual colours. Santini handbags come in a variety of trend-setting styles which include sophisticated satchels, small back packs and men's bags.

Fausto Santini
Via Frattina 120
www.faustosantini.com/

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Mada

An unassuming boutique shoe store where shoes are lying around in untidy but studied little heaps. This store has been around for at least 30 years and has a regular international client base. Brands here are chosen for quality and originality and their ability to perfectly complement new season's fashions.

Mada
Via Della Croce 57

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Sciu' Scià

This is one of Rome's few remaining traditional footwear boutiques, selling shoes crafted from quality leathers. The store is easy to miss as it doesn't have all the colour and glitz of other stores but the styles are unfailingly innovative and new. And exceedingly comfortable, as indeed Italian shoes always were. Excellent value for money as well.

Sciu' Scià
Via Torre Argentina (metres away from Largo Argentina)

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Guja

Relatively new spacious store with plenty of variety. If you're here from another hemisphere, you may find some early-bird new season's styles. If you need a break between fittings, you can grab some sliced papaya, pineapple or mango from the fruit stand at the corner nearby.

Guja
Via Del Gambero 9

and more to come...