After school, I moved from Berlin to Hamburg for my apprenticeship with well known German shoemaker, Benjamin Klemann. He works in an idyllic location by the lake and he taught me everything about this craft, with no prejudices at all about me being a woman. This was not common at the time.

At the time I did know that much about the Florentine heritage and tradition of leatherworking. I came here to work with another great Master, Stefano Bemer, who welcomed me into his workshop and made me his first assistant. In three years I learned so much about styles and leathers.

I reinvent every shoe according to the specific needs of my client. I only do bespoke, I don’t have collections. Even though most of my clients want something very classical, I still have those who come in and ask for a fully hand painted blue shoe with rose sole, for example. The challenge starts there.

I love to spend my time creating in my workshop, where my shoes are entirely handmade. I work with two collaborators, but every single shoe passes several times through my hands. I am proud of my job, and I love that anyone passing by can see me at work.