Lemargo

Lemargo is a family-owned Italian company in the Marche region. Catarina and Dino Leombruni di Montegranaro are the fourth generation who run the family business. This isn’t just a business; it’s a family affair where each member plays a vital role: Marco, the father, leads administration and coordination, while Gloria, the mother, is the creative mind behind the designs and also oversees quality. Their shoe factory is more than a workplace — it’s practically their second home, embodying the essence of a family business where board meetings are as likely to occur around the dinner table as in an office. This familial approach extends to their relationships with employees, fostering a warm, inclusive environment that values long-term commitments — some team members have been with Lemargo for decades. With a growing team of about 30 people, Lemargo prides itself on a slow, meticulous approach to shoemaking that demands diverse skills and deep talent. This philosophy not only underscores their commitment to exceptional craftsmanship but also highlights a culture of mutual respect and learning, making Lemargo a unique blend of tradition, innovation, and family values. 

Being an EU-based production, the brand adheres to stringent EU regulations.

Lemargo takes pride in its traditional handcraftsmanship production process. The shoes are made with high quality materials from select leathers including calf, buffalo, kangaroo, and horse, with soles crafted from natural leather to ensure durability and comfort. The interiors are also lined fully with leather, reflecting the brand’s commitment to luxury from the inside out. 

High-quality leather, while durable and often considered a premium material, presents a complex environmental impact; it is biodegradable due to its natural origins, but the process is slow and can be influenced by the tanning and finishing chemicals used. Although not easily recyclable in the conventional sense, high-quality leather can be repurposed or upcycled into new products, offering some potential for reducing waste.

Lemargo’s distinctive touch comes from its hand dip dyeing process in natural colours, which adds a unique, vintage look to every pair. This process takes place in a Tuscan tannery, where the assembled shoes are placed into hermetically sealed cotton bags and then dyed using a traditional textile method. This step not only infuses each shoe with rich, deep hues but also ensures that the environmental impact is minimized by using natural dyes. After dyeing, the shoes appear worn and wet, a testament to their journey. It’s only after they’re dried and finished that Lemargo’s shoes reveal their true beauty and craftsmanship.

Additionally, Lemargo’s emblem — an iron segment placed under the sole — serves as the cornerstone of each shoe’s structure, while a rubber sole adds extra comfort. Steel production has a significant environmental impact, primarily through its high energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, but it offers sustainability benefits due to its durability and being highly recyclable, thus reducing the need for new raw materials. Synthetic rubber is made from oil. However, rubber is durable and can be recycled.

Lemargo repurposes cotton bags, that were used in the dyeing process, as packaging. 

Lemargo’s shoes are made by hand from high-quality leather to ensure they are ​‘made to last’ and can be repaired indefinitely. A key feature of their construction is the Rapid Blake method, a technique that stitches the outer sole directly to the insole, offering flexibility and ease in resoling, thus extending the shoe’s lifespan.

This artisanal method also allows the shoes to be easily disassembled, so when they reach the end of their life, each part can be recycled on its own, reducing waste. 

Moreover, Lemargo boosts circular practices by repurposing the cotton bags, that were used in the dyeing process as packaging.

Lemargo’s supply chain is relatively short, primarily because its production is concentrated in Italy, specifically in the Marche region known for its rich shoemaking heritage. The establishment of a new manufacturing plant in Saint Ferry in 2011 further centralizes its operations, minimizing the need for extensive transportation of goods. While the brand does provide some information on the sourcing of leather and other materials, suggesting an inclination towards local procurement — consistent with Italy’s reputation for high-quality materials—it is noted that they use buffalo and kangaroo leather among others, casting uncertainty on the extent of local sourcing. The use of such leathers typically implies specific sourcing from regions where these animals are native, like kangaroos from Australia and certain buffalo species from Asia or Africa.
This ambiguity underlines the need for more detailed information on their material sourcing and transportation methods to fully understand the environmental impact of their supply chain.

Lemargo, a leather shoe brand, uses materials like buffalo and kangaroo leather, suggesting they use exotic animal skins in their product range. However, the brand does not provide a dedicated section on their website regarding the sourcing of these animal materials, nor do they outline an explicit animal welfare policy. This lack of transparency makes it challenging to assess the full impact of their operations on animal welfare. Without clear information on how they get these materials, it’s difficult to determine how Lemargo ensures the ethical treatment of animals in getting their skins.

Lemargo is all about slow fashion, making shoes that are as stylish as they are sturdy. The workmanship is very particular. The shoes are made with high quality materials. Every pair is handcrafted with love and care, designed to last and look good forever. With Lemargo, you get a timeless look that never goes out of style. 

Lemargo’s collection consists of casual and dressy models. Lemargo’s signature feature is its exposed shank—a metal piece placed beneath the insole to uphold the foot’s arch, essentially serving as the shoe’s backbone, making the shoes instantly recognisable.

Lemargo’s approach to transparency in its business operations presents a mix of traditional and modern values. As a small, family-run company, Lemargo has a level of intimacy and trustworthiness. However, when it comes to disclosing specific details such as materials sourcing, their animal welfare policy, and shipping methods there appears to be room for improvement. This lack of detailed information leaves some questions about the ethical and environmental side of their shoes. While the intimate scale of their business might foster trust and loyalty among customers, a greater degree of openness about these operational aspects could enhance their reputation as a conscientious and customer-focused brand.