The Secret of Chanel's Black Two-Tone Shoes

In addition to Chanel No.2.55 handbag and Chanel No.5 perfume, Chanel’s Black Two-Tone Shoes are another all-time classic. Ms. Chanel once famously remarked, “A woman with good shoes is never ugly.” In an old photograph taken with ballerina Serge Lifar in 1937, Ms. Chanel wears a pair of black leisure sandals, which ultimately became the classic Chanel two-tone shoes made by footwear craftsman Lasare Massaro in 1957.

Since 1959, Chanel chose various colors and textures for the toe design as well as various combinations of materials for the shoe itself. Since 1956 when Chanel launched its plant in Lombardy, the region in northern Italy famous for its top shoe-making, Chanel continues to craft its classic two-tone shoes using more than 50 steps – from leather-tanning, leather-cutting, sewing of the “Double C” Logo, high-pressure treating the soles, and finally adding the bow – and 40 man hours per shoe to ensure every pair of Chanel two-tone shoes are simply exquisite.