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In our line of business, we hear a lot about heritage brands, especially in certain categories like footwear and watches. And while it might be tempting to associate legacy names with being stuck in the past, that’s almost rarely the case. Originally known as the Travenzoli family workshop when they opened their doors in 1820, Astorflex (with a name change in 1965) is the perfect example of a company who has always figured out ways to blend lineage with designs that still feel fresh. As Huckberry so eloquently puts it, Astorflex simply knows how to transform its materials into “a walking work of art,” which is never more evident than with their Samaflex Woven Venetian Loafer.
Handcrafted by seventh-generation shoemakers in the company’s Northern Italian workshop, these loafers from Astorflex are instantly striking with the titular woven design integrated into the vegetable-tanned full-grain leather upper. Above this, the brand designed a throat that doesn’t phone it in either, featuring a slight lift with subtle wings in back towards the collar. Going just as perfectly with your jeans or sweats as a pair of slacks for an upscale dinner or wedding, these are far from your average dress shoes. And thanks to the uber-soft lining made of calf leather (also vegetable-tanned), you can easily wear these with or without socks, depending on the occasion.
Anyone who’s already tried on Astorflex’s chukkas can attest to the craftsmanship behind each pair, which carries over just the same to the Woven Loafer. Supporting the show-stopping uppers are the hard leather outsoles, blending black markings at the heel with brown up top. Available in both Ebano Dark Brown and the lighter Tan colorways, the Samaflex will likely become your go-to shoes throughout the summer and beyond.
Priced at $298, Astorflex’s Samaflex Woven Venetian Loafer is available now from Huckberry’s web store.
