Renato Bočak

Cipele Bočak

Shoemaker

©Bojan Mrđenović

©Renato Bočak

Shoemaking for businessmen

Renato's family have been making shoes since 1933
He represents the third generation of shoemakers
He considers himself both a craftsman and a designer

Initially founded by Renato’s grandfather, the shoemaker's workshop and store Bočak has been at the same location for more than 90 years. Situated in the heart of Zagreb, on Ilica street, Renato produces shoes that are well balanced eternal classics with a contemporary kick. In his archive, Renato holds up to 15000 measurements of people from all over the world. Besides being a craftsman from an early age, Renato is also a qualified shoe designer and an active member of the Croatian Chamber of Crafts. He has been the chairman of the board of shoemaking and orthopedic shoemaking examiners for a long time in the school and also worked within the sector council on determining the shoemaking school curriculum in Croatia.

Interview

©Bojan Mrđenović

©Bojan Mrđenović

When did you start your career as a shoemaker?: I started working as a child in my father's workshop and later I enrolled at a high school called the Center for Textile, Leather and Footwear. I passed the shoemaker’s master exam and afterwards the orthopedic shoemaker’s exam. I took over the shop from my dad in 1994. In the meantime, I finished a footwear design course at the Faculty of Textile Technology.
Where do you discover new trends, materials, and technologies?: Mostly through the internet. But my products are also specific. I always try to develop my own style that is up to date with the trends. Where possible, I try to incorporate new shapes, colours and materials. However, the market often sets the direction, so sometimes there is not enough time to devote yourself to experimentation.
Who are your customers?: I have customers that have been buying shoes exclusively from us for years. In our archives we have around 15000 measurements and 1000 mould models from all around the world. We also get some younger people who want a certain style and we work on the development together. Our target audience are business people who have a certain dress code and are looking for quality custom made footwear.
Do you feel a decline in demand over the last several years?: I am dealing with a craft that is disappearing. In the west of Europe, there are efforts to protect and bring back artisanal shoemaking. When it comes to Croatia, it is hard to succeed because the market is simply very small.

Renato Bočak is a master artisan: he began his career in 1986 and he started teaching in 1994