Amedeo Canfora
This said, in the late 1940’s, Capri’s economy was still based almost entirely on fishing and there were only a very few hotels on the island. Opposite to the most important of these, the historic Grand Hotel Quisisana, Amedeo Canfora decided to open a sandal shop. A modest little shop, with a workbench on which to make his sandals, walls hung with soles and costume jewelry, and shelves filled with books in which the measurements of the most important regular clients were recorded and carefully conserved. Today, Amedeo’s daughters Angela and Rita and their families continue the tradition, adding a touch of originality to every annual collection.
Many celebrities have been fans of Canfora’s creations, among these the unforgettable Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. More than once, late at night, Amedeo opened the shop just for the first lady, letting her choose her favourite sandals; he made created a style exclusively for her called “K”.
Other customers of international fame have been in the shop, including Grace Kelly, Princess Margareth, Princess Caroline, Soraya, Maria Callas, Oona Chaplin, Sofia Loren, Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart, Dawn Addams, Anita Ekberg, Naomi Campbell and many others.