Philippe Atienza – Bespoke shoemaker

Île-de-France  – 1962

Since the age of 16, Philippe Atienza has been a shoemaker. This passion came with his first love, horse ridding. After high school, he studied shoemaking with Compagnons du Devoir during 8 years. Then, he joined Maison John Lobb where he worked his way up to become Head of Bespoke Design, a position he held for ten years. He then spent 9 years in charge of Massaro (owned by Chanel).

In 2016, Phillipe Atienza decided to open his own workshop. It is specialized in both men’s and women’s shoes. The stakes were high! His experience and a desire to stand on his own two feet were incredible assets that he freely exploited. The workshop is now operational and includes a partner, a first and a second‐year apprentice.

Today, there are around 15 bespokes, non‐subcontracting shoemakers remaining in France.

1991 – Awarded with the title Meilleur Ouvrier de France, the most prestigious award a craftsman can receive in France.

Will to transmit

In 2019, he became Chairman of the Union of Shoemakers, an organisation led by Raymond Massaro for 30 years.

Trained by Compagnons du Devoir, passing on his skills runs through his DNA. Philippe Atienza took on approximately 15 apprentices during his time at J. Lobb, and around 10 at Massaro. He also recruited two apprentices immediately after opening his own workshop.

Philippe Atienza describes himself as keen to transmit his knowledge and is acutely aware of the need to pass on this disappearing savoir‐faire.

He also collects equipment that he uses daily and which date back as far as 1932.

Fondation Rémy Cointreau is supporting Philippe Atienza by helping him to buy a leather splitter that would save him valuable time and enable him to recycle a large proportion of offcuts by turning them into leather accessories.