STRIKING HUES
Over the years, Bontoni’s master colorists have concocted an amazing range of colors. Some of the colors include black cherry, tobacco, rhubarb, dark chocolate, yellow chestnut, and olive.
Bontoni colorists are renowned for their hand-colored patinas as well as unique polishing techniques. A hand-colored patina gives the shoe grandeur and individuality that is unsurpassed. Bontoni remains one of just a handful of shoemakers who colors its leathers entirely by hand. Over the years, Bontoni’s master colorists have concocted an amazing range of colors such as black cherry, tobacco, red chocolate, yellow chestnut, olive, and rhubarb. It takes up to 4 days to achieve the desired effect.
Some of our signature patinas are blended from up to 15 different oils, natural pigments, creams, and waxes. Many of these formulas have been passed down over generations. Notwithstanding, our master
colorists still put their own fresh twist on them.
It wasn’t until about 20 years ago that a few local specialty tanneries began to offer limited quantities of non-dyed leathers. Since then, our shoemakers have been coloring shoes using the “blank canvass” approach. Much like an artist, each of our master colorists uses a non-dyed crust leather as his canvass.
OUR SHOE CARE TIPSBontoni colorists are renowned for their hand-colored patinas as well as unique polishing techniques. A hand-colored patina gives the shoe grandeur and individuality that is unsurpassed. Bontoni remains one of just a handful of shoemakers who colors its leathers entirely by hand. Over the years, Bontoni’s master colorists have concocted an amazing range of colors such as black cherry, tobacco, red chocolate, yellow chestnut, olive, and rhubarb. It takes up to 4 days to achieve the desired effect. Some of our signature patinas are blended from up to 15 different oils, natural pigments, creams, and waxes. Many of these formulas have been passed down over generations. Notwithstanding, our master colorists still put their own fresh twist on them.
It wasn’t until about 20 years ago that a few local specialty tanneries began to offer limited quantities of non-dyed leathers. Since then, our shoemakers have been coloring shoes using the “blank canvass” approach. Much like an artist, each of our master colorists uses a non-dyed crust leather as his canvass.
Our colorist applies one layer of dye or pigment after another by using intermittently a paintbrush, cloth, and cotton ball. It is a subtle and delicate process. Our colorists rely on their instincts and sense of aesthetics for this delicate process. Knowing, for example, where not to apply additional color makes
all the difference in creating those striking light and dark nuances. When one layer of dye overlaps another, it achieves differing densities and builds an entirely new hue altogether. This interplay of translucency and depth is critical to accentuate the natural beauty and grain of the leather.
We believe our time-consuming coloring process bestows an unmatched level of individuality and grandeur to our shoes. It’s very much part of the Bontoni DNA.
Our colorist applies one layer of dye or pigment after another by using intermittently a paintbrush, cloth, and cotton ball. It is a subtle and delicate process. Our colorists rely on their instincts and sense of aesthetics for this delicate process. Knowing, for example, where not to apply additional color makes all the difference in creating those striking light and dark nuances. When one layer of dye overlaps another, it achieves differing densities and builds an entirely new hue altogether. This interplay of translucency and depth is critical to accentuate the natural beauty and grain of the leather. We believe our time-consuming coloring process bestows an unmatched level of individuality and grandeur to our shoes. It’s very much part of the Bontoni DNA.
