Hard to believe, but in all the time I’ve been in Italy, I had never made it to Capri until last weekend. While there was lots I wanted to do, see and eat, one thing topped my list: buying sandals. My friend Jeanette, who is the epitome of understated impeccable taste came back from Capri last May with a stunning pair of gold sandals. Since the weather’s finally gotten warm enough to bare my toes, my sandal envy has returned.
So, once settled in at the newly revamped and just opened Capri Tiberio Palace (more on that in the future) I suggested we take a stroll. Little did Domenico know that I had a mission: sandal acquisition. Island legend has it that artisans have been crafting these flat and strappy leather sandals since Roman times. But things took a decidedly stylish turn when Jackie Onassis stepped on the island. She was soon heading back to the Christina with several pairs of the local sandals which soon there-after became a must-have fashion accessory.
Both Jackie and my friend Jeanette headed to the master artisan da Costanzo, and I followed their lead. To judge from their thick scrap book, almost every celeb who has ever come to Capri has gotten their sandals here.
Before arriving I had a vague idea of something strappy, but was not prepared for the sparkling and outrageous foot candy on show. Who knew I needed a pair of coral and lizard encrusted sandals? Or turquoise and starfish? Or any of the other hundreds of samples in the front window.
And they are just samples, since every pair is hand made and fitted to your foot. While the soles are pre-made (on the island) the ‘toppings’ are worked right there as you wait by Antonio, who gently fits the various parts to your foot.
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I really wish I had gotten the lizard pair.
Love the shell and coral combo.
Yes, these cost 130 euros.
I imagine that this is the pair that Zsa Zsa Gabor bought.
Those are the gold sandals I bought, plus my feet being fitted for the next pair.
Less glitzy, just as pretty.
Antonio, putting the final touches on my rhinestone encrusted, yet still tasteful, pair.
da Costanzo
Via Roma 49
Capri
tel & fax: +39 081 837 8077
great!