6. Skin

“People interested in what I do are mostly shepherds who want shoes that need to be tamed, shoes that are initially uncomfortable. Only this way, they convince themselves that they will last a long time,” says Andrea Sebastiano Marras.

The photo captures Andrea Sebastiano Marras at work in his workshop. Andrea, despite having no familial connection, is recognized by the renowned designer Antonio Marras and Madame Olga Berluti of the famous fashion house, as one of the most skilled and promising Italian botiers (shoemakers).

Various artisanal crafts are prevalent on the island, encompassing weaving, traditional basketry, ceramics, woodworking, ironwork, and reaching exceptional levels in the crafting of gold and silver.

In Loculi, amid some of the more well-known and artistic artisanal traditions,

Andrea Marras stands as one of the few on the island who passionately and masterfully pursues the ancient and niche art of crafting leather shoe soles and uppers in the creation of handmade leather footwear. He learns his trade in the authentic artisanal tradition, as a young boy apprenticing with an elder shoemaker from a neighboring village, Galtellì. This master taught him the arts and techniques passed down from generation to generation, master to apprentice.

His vocation is born from an infatuation with the traditional clothing of the agropastoral world surrounding him. For this reason, he specializes in crafting the shepherd’s boot: a sturdy block of black leather with a smooth rubber sole, which takes up to two full days of work to create. He exclusively uses handmade twine and various awls based on the stitching, not only shaping traditional footwear but also crafting classic elegant shoes for both men and women.