Claudia Ciuti

Profile

Born into a family of Italian cobblers, Claudia Ciuti began studying shoemaking in Florence at age 19. This store showcasing her shoe and bag designs opened in 2005 and focuses on exotic skins in unconventional hues like mint, fuchsia, and electric blue. While the colors may be bold, the styles are more conservative; ageless staples like slip-on kitten heels, flats with bows, strappy sling-back stilettos, and pumps line the walls of the tiny Madison Avenue shop. Shoes come in python, alligator, crocodile, or embossed leather, and some of the clutches and oversized carry-alls are made of exotic skins as well. Customers can change the color of a shoe for no extra charge and switch up the skin for a price. Speaking of prices, it’s hard to beat a Ciuti sale, when merchandise is heavily discounted from rates that are already reasonable for this neighborhood — Katie Hintz

Seasonally, up to 65 percent off.