So, the thing is, “Handmade Valentino Shoes” is kinda a loaded term. Are we talkin’ *actual* Valentino Garavani, the real deal, made-in-Italy kinda stuff? ‘Cause that’s a whole different ballgame than, say, a pair of pumps from some shop on Etsy that’s inspired by, shall we say, *borrowed* the Valentino aesthetic. Not that there’s anything wrong with a good dupe, mind you. Sometimes you just gotta rock that studded look without remortgaging the house, ya know?
Then you got the whole “handmade” thing. Like, what even *is* handmade anymore? Does it mean someone, like, *actually* stitched every single stitch by hand? Or does it mean they used a fancy sewing machine that requires a skilled artisan to operate? Is it really that different? I dunno, my brain hurts just thinkin’ about it. Probably depends on how much you’re payin’, tbh.
And then there’s the whole Mario Valentino thing… Wait, are they related? Are they just borrowing the name? I honestly have no idea. My suspicion is, it’s a whole thing that probably involves lawyers and trademarks and stuff that’s WAY over my head.
But here’s the deal, and this is just my humble opinion, okay? If you’re gonna drop serious coin on a pair of Valentino Garavani (the *real* ones), you gotta be prepared to treat ’em like royalty. I’m talkin’ no puddles, no crowded subway cars, definitely no accidentally stepping in gum. Which, let’s be honest, is just not practical for most of us. I’d be terrified of ruining them! I’d rather have a few pairs of “inspired by” shoes that I can actually *wear* without hyperventilating.
However, there’s something undeniably cool about knowing your shoes are handmade, crafted with care, and probably cost more than my rent. It’s like wearing a piece of art on your feet. Even if that art might get stepped on at a party.