We got an exclusive look at what's to come from Italian brand Pantofola d'Oro, who gave us a sneak preview at their 2012 collection. The boots aren't finalised yet and some may never go into production, so let us know if any catch your eye...
Pantofola d'Oro are one of the brands who have stepped up their game in recent years, and many boot fans who may not have been aware of the Italian brand a few years ago are now fully aware of their leather craftsmanship. Their boots have been some of the most talked about on SoccerBible, as traditionalists discuss the merits of football boots with modern synthetic tech fans. Which is perhaps the reason Pantofola d'Oro were kind enough to give us a preview of what they've got planned.
This kind of exclusive look at what a brand has planned is quite unprecedented, yet at the same time refreshing in the boot world. We're sure there are many a boot fan who would like to see an entire Mercurial or F50 range for the year, before making the decision to purchase. And with the boots all lined up in one of our showrooms, we have to admit they certainly looked impressive.
But Pantofola d'Oro weren't completely giving the game away, as although there were some recognisable boot silo's such as the Lazzarini, Ascoli and Piceno, there were a few interesting looking boots we hadn't seen before. There also seemed to be a few varying design ideas around the positioning of the famous three stars.
What was noticeable about the 2012 collection, was a definite injection of colour. Turn back the clocks even five years ago, and a Pantofola d'Oro collection would have looked very different. Whilst previously we might have seen a palette of blacks and browns, we're now seeing green, yellow, blue, orange and even gold being incorporated into the new designs.
It's been good to see Pantofola d'Oro embrace more of the modern market, as although they've remained true to their handcrafted boots, and indeed every one is still unique, they are moving with the times. That said, their use of traditional leather, which won them so many fans in the first place, has remained true as the boots are soft and comfortable but it just so happens the leather has been dyed to be coloured.
One thing we were made aware of when the boots arrived, is that not every boot will go into production, which gives the SoccerBible fans an exclusive chance to influence the boot market! As Pantofola d'Oro have said they will listen to our fans opinions when they consider which boots go into production, and have even said they're open to suggestions on colours, so let us know what you think...
Pantofola d'Oro have given us unprecedented access to their upcoming collections, allowing you the boot fans to interact with the brand, so let us know what you think of the potential 2012 Pantofola d'Oro collection. Share your thoughts and opinions online, on Twitter and on Facebook.