From Presidents to Rock Stars, This Shoe Brand Is the Go-To Choice of Icons
KRISTIN TICE STUDEMAN
Kate Moss, Johnny Cash, Gregory Peck, Kings of Leon, Jamie Foxx, Carrie Mulligan, John Wayne—aside from all being superstars in their own right, it would appear that these individuals might not have much in common.
Wrong. They all happen to have the same bootmaker: Lucchese. That’s a name that needs no explaining to people in Texas, where the 130-year-old cowboy boot brand has its roots. “When people want the finest boots they can get, they come to Lucchese,” says the label’s creative director, William Zeitz. In its early years, Lucchese was entrusted as the main purveyor of cavalry boots for the U.S. Army at Fort Sam Houston. Since then, a host of U.S presidents, rock stars, actors and actresses have also become fans. That group is likely to quickly expand with the label's latest initiative.
Lucchese has at last expanded beyond its westernwear and applied its expertise in shoe craftsmanship to new categories. They’ve just recently launched more fashion-forward footwear, including pumps, sandals, and oxfords, made of super luxe materials like crocodile, python, and ostrich. In August, they’re set to unveil handbags and leather accessories as well. (We have a sneak preview of the goods, here.) The handbags are impressive—easy silhouettes that make for the perfect work carryall, in rich, classic colors.
“We see ourselves as an American luxury brand,” says Zeitz. “We want to be positioned next to European luxury brands like, ideally, Hermès and Louis Vuitton. There are very few American luxury brands left.”
Up next, they’re ready to expand their brick-and-mortar stores in the coming years. “We don’t have a NYC store yet, but that’s definitely on the horizon,” says Zeitz. In the meantime, Spring items are available on the web site, lucchese.com.