The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2021 - Issue 29

US-based footwear brand Ace Marks encourages men to walk in handcrafted Italian luxury without overspending. Jada Brookes looks at several of their sophisticated dress and casual shoes. bitemen L uxury US-based footwear brand Ace Marks believes men should not have to spend obscene amounts for a handcrafted world-class shoe. When the brand was established in late 2012, they realised men had three choices for dress shoes. “Buy cheap, poorly made shoes, spend a little more to get a pair with a slight cosmetic upgrade, or spend an uncomfortable amount on a pair from the luxury superpowers. If you like to look good, these aren’t good choices.” In their research to produce world-class, handcrafted shoes rivalling top luxury brands at an attainable price, the found- ers flew to Italy. After chasing leads across the country and finding many nice shoes, Ace Marks realised they needed something extraordinary. This they found in a small factory owned and operated by a family of 4th generation artisans. “Together, we created a bold and beautiful aesthetic, com- bined with a modern, comfortable sensibility, using only the finest materials and craftsmanship.”