Doors of a new artisan studio opening are a thing to celebrate. It’s a pleasure to speak to Gabriele Marzullo, the 25-year-old who opened his shoe mending and making space in via del Bandino 2, Gavinana, in February 2026.
Gabriele stands as the first in his family to undertake the career of calzolaio, with his nonna Edi being the voice of wisdom behind his choice. “I always knew I wanted to work with my hands. I was constantly doing different projects with my dad—gardening, engines, woodwork—but I wasn’t sure in what capacity it would become my career. Then, it was my grandmother who gave me the idea, and I had never even been inside a cobbler’s shop at that point!”
First training at a studio in Campo di Marte before setting up at home, it was the support of his family and the ever-increasing work that saw him launch his own shop. “I learned a great deal by myself, working and watching. It became a complete passion and something I worked on every single day.”
The importance of shoes in Italy is quickly clear upon moving here. Unkempt shoes, no matter their value, are a no-no. Enter the calzolaio di quartiere, the artisan in the area catering to footwear of all categories. In an age where we update our wardrobes unnecessarily rather than repair, the role of people like Marzullo in furthering a culture of care for our things rather than endless purchasing is not to be understated. In fact, while we’re speaking, several regulars pass by, chatting with Gabriele, who has evidently quickly captured the attention of the neighbourhood and beyond. “People stop being customers and become friends.”
“There’s a lot of work! At first, I started part time, but now there’s so much I’m shifting to make it all day. There’s a passion for shoes in Italy, for fixing rather than throwing away. There used to be a lot more, of course, when people used to repair everything: fridges, shoes, clothes, everything. Then that was lost a bit over the years, all over the world, really, due to consumerism. But now, that art of rediscovering and repairing objects, of preserving beautiful things, is making a comeback. I see all kinds of people walk through that door, of all ages. From the moment I opened, word got around quickly. People were saying, ‘Oh I heard a shop opened up.’ News travels fast. Instagram definitely helped a bit, too. The response and support have been so positive; it’s really gratifying.”
There’s a poetic aspect to breathing new life into worn shoes, one that Gabriele also clearly feels. “Shoes are part of people’s stories. It’s about something that endures. People bring me old shoes belonging to their mothers, fathers or uncles—shoes they don’t want to give away or throw out—and they just want them restored, even if they don’t want to use them. There’s so much sentimental value.”
“There’s also interest among young people. I see many wanting repairs but also customization. So, the ‘buy-and-throw-away’ mentality is shifting because, ultimately, it’s just a waste of money. I get a lot of sneakers in for repair, for example, and at first, people told me, ‘But sneakers can’t be repaired.’ However, there are definitely things you can do, especially since they cost so much. I’ve also had really creative orders from Polimoda students, and a lot of that is thanks to Bernardo Bartalesi, who is a really important mentor of mine. He teaches the footwear course there and also has his own bespoke shoe workshop, and he’s been so generous sharing his knowledge with me. In the world of craftsmanship, sometimes people guard their secrets, but customs and traditions get lost that way, and I’ve been lucky to find someone so supportive. My friend, the illustrator Andrea Rosseti, was great in creating the graphics and logo I use, as well as the art in my studio, and it’s fun to have this comic-book style image for a contemporary cobbler.”
When asked if there’s a dream project he’d like to be given, Gabriele is quick to answer. “I find a lot of satisfaction in making anything, but I’d love to create shoes for a groom. If someone sought me out for an occasion like that, it would make me proud, but I also get a lot of joy when someone comes in and says, ‘I want a shoe I can wear every day.’ I also make belts made with leather and brass, items that are meant to last forever and age beautifully over time, and then I repair a bit of everything: bags, chairs, whatever people want me to take a look at.”
When we get bogged down in AI and what it might mean for professions, stories like Gabriele’s leave an impression. “Nowadays, a lot of people, and rightly so, aspire to become renowned designers, but for me, as long as I have my work, my shop, to make a living, I’m happy to stay here forever.”
