Leather Shoe Patina Workshop

The Art of Handcrafted Patina

Patina is a distinctive art form introduced to luxury footwear by Olga Berluti, a prominent member of the renowned French brand Berluti, which revolutionised the industry in the 1980s. At the time, hand-colouring shoes was an innovative concept, bringing a new dimension to the world of high-end leather craftsmanship.

A Timeless Technique for Leather Finishing

The art of patina involves a meticulous hand-dyeing process that imparts a unique aged appearance to leather. This technique begins with crust leather—tanned and prepared, but left undyed—serving as a blank canvas for the artist’s work.

Using white cloths, brushes, and sponges, the artisan carefully applies dyes to both the raw hide and the fully constructed shoe. Each stroke of colour imbues the leather with individuality, bringing out its unique character. Through precise craftsmanship and artistic flair, the patina artist creates a pair of shoes with a distinctive personality, giving them a “soul” that sets them apart.

The Patina Artist: A Rare and Refined Craft

Patina artistry remains a relatively young discipline, with much of its potential yet to be discovered. Few possess the skills to master this specialised craft, and we are privileged to collaborate with one of the finest patina artists in the country.

This role demands extraordinary expertise, from blending custom colours to understanding how different materials react with the leather. A skilled patina artist can replicate a client’s desired hue with precision, applying it seamlessly to shoes, belts, bags, or other luxury leather goods.

The essence of patina artistry lies in its ability to evoke an aged, vintage charm, giving modern shoes an air of timeless elegance. The faded hues and carefully aged finishes create a captivating juxtaposition of old-world allure and contemporary craftsmanship. These masterpieces, born from traditional techniques, are destined to become treasured collectibles in years to come.

Materials and Mastery

The quality of materials used is paramount in achieving exceptional patina finishes. From premium leather to carefully chosen creams, polishes, and dyes, every element plays a crucial role in the final result. Our patina artist works with an expert understanding of these materials, skilfully blending colours and textures to meet the bespoke preferences of each client.

Only a true connoisseur of patina can elevate a shoe to the level of artistry, turning it into a timeless masterpiece.

Create Your Own Patina Shoes

Through our “Create Your Own” 3D designing tool, you can select “PATINA” option, we proudly offer handcrafted patina finishes on most of our shoes and accessories, with more designs coming soon.

Choose from four unique patina styles—Regular, Marble, Papiro, and Camo—to create a pair of shoes that perfectly reflects your personal taste.

Patina Intensity: Tailored to Your Taste

Our innovative MTO 3D Configurator Tool includes a Patina Intensity Selector, allowing you to customise the depth of the aged effect.

Select between two intensity levels:

  • Standard Patina Intensity, which provides a balanced shadow effect, or
  • Dark Patina Intensity, offering deeper shadows and richer tones for a more dramatic finish.

With our handmade patina shoes, you’re not just wearing footwear—you’re wearing a piece of art, crafted to stand the test of time.

Custom Handmade to Measure Shoes – Patina Options

At Poyter, with our custom handmade shoes and made to measure shoes, we craft an exquisite patina finish using undyed crust calf leather — all natural, semi-finished tanned leather designed to achieve a beautifully aged and burnished appearance. With our patina colouring options, you can personalise your shoes with a hue that reflects your style.

We offer a virtually limitless selection of patina colours, ranging from classic blacks, reds, and greens to unique shades like ivory, white, and tan. You can select your preferred patina colour when ordering through our website. If no specific colour intensity is chosen, the default option will be the original, deepest shade of your selected colour. To customise further, include your specific preferences in the purchase notes at checkout.

Shoe Patina Guide - Poyter

Should you have a specific colour in mind that isn’t listed, feel free to email us at hello@poyter.com. Our skilled artisans work with a wide range of patinas and can accommodate most custom requests.

Note: Because each pair of our shoes is hand-painted and finished with a unique patina, slight variations in hue and polish are expected. This ensures every pair is one of a kind. Please review our product disclaimer for further details.

How Poyter Crafts Patina Finishes

At Poyter, we accelerate the patina process through meticulous craftsmanship:

  • Cleaning the leather shoe with a dedicated cleaner.
  • Applying a carefully selected base colour.
  • Adding darker dyes to highlight areas such as the toe, heel, and welts.
  • Conditioning the leather and finishing with neutral wax for a polished look.

Our expert leather colourists employ an array of tools—cloths, brushes, swabs, and palettes—to achieve a unique finish. Techniques include:

  • Tortured Patina: Enhanced with colour gradations for depth.
  • Flamed Patina: Featuring light streaks for a bold statement.
  • Cloudy Patina: With smoke-like effects for a softer touch.

These effects can be applied across the shoe or focused on specific areas such as the heel, toe, or instep, ensuring every pair is a masterpiece.

Types of Patina Finishes

  • Traditional Matte Patina: Offers a soft, understated shine, perfect for professional or casual settings.
  • Mirror Finish Patina: Also known as “spit shine” or “military shine,” this bold, high-gloss finish is ideal for formal occasions.

Our patina finishes are available in a variety of shades, including Autumn Leaf, Nero Grigio, Saint-Emilion Red, and Tobacco Brown, as well as golden and dark red hues.

Caring for Your Patina Shoes

Looking after patina leather shoes is straightforward with the right tools:

  • Brushes: Horsehair, dauber, or nubuck brushes.
  • Polishes and Cleaners: Neutral wax, coloured shoe polish, and smooth leather cleaner.
  • Accessories: Shoe trees, newspaper, or protective plastic sheets.

For detailed guidance, explore our Leather Shoe Care Guide, where we explain how to maintain the beauty of your patina-finished shoes for years to come.