Rocco's Emporium of Wonder - Melb #1

On previous trips to Melbourne I'd always meant to check out the famed Rocco's shoes at Malvern. Well, it all seemed too far away from the CBD to bother, but when my mate informed me i'd been to Malvern, to his girlfriend's house, and that It was just up the road from Prahran, I realised my naivety and hopped on the first tram I could get.

Rocco in his workshop - from the Age

Walking into the humble shopfront you encounter what I would describe as porn for conniseurs of quality footwear. Rows and rows of Jaw droppingly beautful shoes and boots, my favourites being the ankle boots in all shades, textures and styles... pointed toes, chisel toes, round toes, zips, elastic, laces, cubans and flats.

As luck (good, bad or otherwise) would have it, I had noticed a tear in in my existing black poined toed boots. As they were bought second hand and looked slightly worse for wear to start with I thought now would be the time to upgrade. Pity none of the off the shelf stock fitted me. I was told that the wait time for custom made boots is 5 weeks, and as I don't live in Melbourne (yet... maybe later) and I'm not planning on going back for at least two months I guess I ought to try and find an equivalent place up here in Sydney. Any ideas would be appreciated and I'll let you know how I go in my own efforts.

Footnote: In searching for a pic for this story I discovered that Rocco doesn't make the shoes anymore, his son does. I'm glad somebody's keeping the legend alive. And take a look at the red suede boots with the black patent leather stripe in the photo. I bought those as new on my previous trip to Melbourne so I am pleased to say I DO own some Rocco's after all.