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The beginnings
From the birth date of 9 March 1905 already one enters the footwear epic, a distant and fascinating world, relived through the words of the protagonist, still today in great form and working away at his "bench". Thus Severino Artioli begins his long and impressive story, told with a verve that the passing years have not blurred at all: "I was born at Porotto, four kilometres from Ferrara, 97 years ago. When I was four I lost my father and went, with my mother, to live with aunts in Ferrara.
My two younger brothers were entrusted to other close relatives. When still at elementary school, attracted by beautiful shop near home, I used to go to a shoemaker so as to learn the trade. At twelve years old, after having finished school, I already had quite a career, also thanks to a very able Bolognese worker. In those days shoes were all made by hand, naturally. By the end of the war I had learned the trade, one might say, and having bought a bench with all the necessary tools, I started to work on my own, specializing in women's footwear. My mother left for Rome to work as cook for a lawyer and I went with her,
remaining in the capitol until I was twenty. I did my national service in Conegliano Veneto with the 26th Artillery, rising to the rank of corporal, discharged as sergeant. The captain asked me to stay on but, after some uncertainty, I left and went back to Ferrara where, on the reccomendation of a lawyer, I was taken on by the "Zenith" shoes firm, one of the best at that time".
Very soon Severino became the favourite of the owner, thanks to his wide knowledge of the work. Unfortunately Mr Buzzoni, the owner, died a couple of years later and, due to continual squabbles with the manager, who had always been annoyed by the proprietor's esteem for the young worker, our protagonist gave notice and left for Milan where, two years before, he had undergone a successful test
for the "Verbano" shoe makers of Paina. But on presenting himself there he met with a cold reception and the same thing happened
at two other Milanese shoe companies, "Polli" and "Forzinetti". Then Artioli found out that the wife of his former employer at
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Severino Artioli has received outstanding recognition during his long career: he has been named "Cavaliere Omnri" ( Onore al Merito della Repubblica Italiana); received the "Medaglia d' Oro" from Varese Chamber of Commerce for his work; the "Medaglia d' Oro" of the city of Tradate for civil, social and economic merits and the Rotary Club award for the professionalism he has always demostratetd in business.
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Zenith had circulated a letter requesting other shoe makers not to employ staff who had left the firm. In fact, on Buzzoni's death many of the best workers had resigned and the position taken by Zenith could be justified, although not in this specific case. After talking with the lady and through the intervention of the lawyer for whom his mother worked, our hero received permission to work for the other companies. "So I went to Turin - continues Artioli - where I worked with Stanguillini, a manager from Bologna. In the meantime my mother was obliged to return to Ferrara for health reasons. I found a job in nearby Monselice in another footwear factory, "Euganeo", where I stayed for three years, first as apprendice and then as head worker.
I got on well there but then a colleague of mine, a modellist, mentioned my name at "Calzaturificio di Tradate", where they needed a director. A pretty large firm, in fact, with shops in Milan, Turin and Rome. So I moved to "Tradate" in 1932, at the age of 27, after giving my notice at Monselice. I remember my boss was speechless for half an hour when I told him where I was going".
Really a story "from another time" that told by Severino Artioli, founder of the firm of the same name that specializes in high quality men's shoes of artisan workmanship, famous throughout the world.
A boot from " grand father" Artioli, dating back to the Twenties.
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