Our Story
Who We Are
OBSIDIAN was founded in 2008 by master cobbler Marco Levi in a Florence atelier no bigger than a garage. Frustrated by the compromise between luxury aesthetics and real-world performance, he set out to create shoes that could do both — flawlessly.
Eighteen years later, we still make every pair the same way: by hand, with obsessive attention to detail, using only materials we would stake our name on. Because we do.
Explore the CollectionHeritage
2008
Marco Levi opens a small workshop on Via Tornabuoni with three apprentices and one guiding principle: never sacrifice quality for speed.
2011
The "Nero Assoluto" collection — just 50 pairs — sells out in 48 hours. OBSIDIAN's reputation for exclusivity is born.
2015
Flagship stores open in London, New York, and Tokyo. The brand earns its first feature in Vogue and GQ simultaneously.
2019
OBSIDIAN commits to carbon-neutral production by 2025, partnering with certified sustainable tanneries and eliminating single-use packaging.
2023
Clients can now commission a fully bespoke pair online — from leather selection to last fitting — delivered within 12 weeks.
2026
Our boldest collection yet — 12 silhouettes, 3 exclusive materials, and the debut of our adaptive comfort system.
Our Philosophy
We source only what we would personally wear. Every leather is tasted, touched, and tested before a single stitch is made.
We deliberately limit production. A smaller number of exceptional pairs beats a warehouse of mediocre ones, every time.
We build shoes meant to be resoled, repaired, and passed down. Fast fashion ends in landfills. OBSIDIAN ends in heirlooms.
The Hands Behind the Work
Founder & Master Cobbler
Head of Design
Leather Specialist
Welt & Sole Master