Ildikó Gál

Ildikó Gál Bespoke Exotic Leather Shoes from Hungary

Hungarian bespoke shoemaker Ildikó Gál, which handcrafts exquisite footwear from exotic skins, makes its American debut this month. The brand has opened a new showroom in New York at 501 Fifth Avenue showcasing its first collection of men's handmade dress shoes, all constructed by third generation Hungarian cobblers. Ildikó Gál combines modern technology with Old World craftsmanship to produce luxurious products of unsurpassed quality. Constructing the perfect shoe starts with a state-of-the-art scanner that measures each foot from all angles. The foot scan data is instantly transmitted to the last makers, who create lasts that reflect a customer's unique feet.

From small towns and villages in rural Hungary where shaping leather into shoes is an art form handed down through generations, the shoemakers produce stunning, handcrafted footwear. Each shoe design is executed completely by hand using traditional methods and the finest skins, and takes about six weeks to complete. Each finished pair is stamped with the artisan's signature and delivered in a custom fitted wooden box with custom made shoe trees, silk shoe bags and special polishes. Prices start at about $2,500 per pair and exotic skins on offer include stingray (above), sharkskin, alligator, crocodile and ostrich.

Gallery: Ildiko Gal Bespoke Shoes