L'Autre Chose

Replace one ‘O’ with an ‘A’, add a ‘C’ and the name Alfredo Boccaccini, becomes Alfredo Bocconcini...cheesy goodness. Of course there is absolutely nothing cheesy about anything Boccaccini has put his name on.

Since 1959 his family-run business has been making a name based around exotic leathers like ostrich and python. 1987, however, was the big year with the successful launch of ‘L’Autre Chose’, the brand which brought him into the international spotlight. Collaborations with Alexander McQueen, Patrick Cox (an Edmonton native, if you didn’t know), Max Mara, Martin Margiela and Ter Et Bantine followed.

I first noticed this brand when jet lagged and confused, my friend and I wandered around Rome able only to order uncarbonated water and ask where the bathroom is. Using common sense we of course immediately deduced that SALDI meant sale; this was January after all, one of the two major sale times in Italy--the other is July. Following such a large shiny sign we wandered into the rather new L’autre Chose boutique. Unassuming in design, one could peruse and try on with ease, contrary to certain more intimidating higher end stores. And man, those shoes, oh man, those shoes. The clothing isn’t bad either but Michela Casdei’s ready to wear is pretty standard stuff.




Anyway, this leads me to the real subject of this post. These shoes. I need them. Look at them, they’re fantastic and they’ll make me tall. And I am short, so very short.