Philippe Atienza – Bespoke shoemaker

Île-de-France  – 1962

Philippe Atienza has been a bootmaker since the age of 16. After being graduated with a “brevet des collèges”, he has begun a CAP in shoemaking and bootmaking with the Compagnons du Devoir et du Tour de France. Following his training, he has worked for John Lobb for ten years. This experience was a real success story, starting as a footman and ending as head of the made-to-measure department. He then went on to manage Massaro.

In 2016, he set up his own workshop specialized in men’s and women’s shoes. Thanks to the Maître d’Art-Elève title he received in 2023, Philippe Atienza has been gradually passing on his know-how to Laura Puntillo, his apprentice. The stakes are high as today there are only around fifteen bespoke shoemakers left in France.

2023 – Maître d’Art/Elève title, Maîtres d’Art-Elèves scheme, Ministry of Culture.

1991 – Meilleur Ouvrier de France.

Transmission

Philippe Atienza has been President of the Syndicat des Bottiers since 2019. Because of this position, he describes himself as a “passeur de relais”. He is aware of the necessity to pass on this know-how, which is becoming increasingly rare.

Trained by the Compagnons, passing on his skills is part of his DNA. Over his career, he has trained trainees at J. Lobb and Massaro. He himself has taken on many apprentices in his workshop at the Viaduc des Arts in Paris.

Fondation Rémy Cointreau has supported Philippe Atienza in 2020 with the acquisition of a slitter. This machine saves precious work time and enables him to recycle some of his off-cuts.