Doucal's

In 1968, Mario Giannini opened a craft workshop for the production of footwear in the arts and crafts sector. It was named "Ducale" because it produced luxury items for a noble clientele. Additionally, it was situated in central Italy, where medieval duchies fostered the culture of arts and crafts. Within a few years, the workshop evolved into a company, and in 1973, Doucal's was born, an anglicized name reflecting the Italian dream that appreciated the style and quality of English-made footwear. Mario Giannini traveled to Northampton, in the British Shoes Manufacturer district, for an internship on handmade Goodyear welt construction. He learned all the secrets of different constructions and the rules of English style, which had a significant influence on the European market in the seventies. Upon returning home after the training, he instilled in his small entrepreneurial venture the dedication and respect for work he had seen and admired in English factories. The entry of his children into the company was a consecration. In less than two decades, he transformed a small craft production workshop into an industrial reality of Made in Italy, ready to be further developed by the second generation. Doucal's footwear is now designed with an English look and Italian fit, unique and guaranteed by a insole made of a layer of memory foam that ensures great comfort and freshness to the foot, combined with antibacterial action. These features give the footwear an added value highly appreciated by new emerging markets. The factory is located in six old refurbished buildings connected to each other without altering the architectural layout of the village. As of today, the occupied area is 4000 square meters, and new annexations are not excluded, for example, to consolidate the success of Doucal's women's collections.