Atelier Rondini
Hand-stitched tropézienne sandals, four generations in Saint-Tropez
Saint-Tropez's first sandal maker, since 1927. Four generations of Rondinis, the same workshop at 18 rue Clemenceau, every sandal entirely hand-stitched. The last craftsman in the Var still making tropéziennes 100% by hand. When the leather still smells of the Mediterranean and every stitch is placed by hands that grew up in the workshop.
Philosophy
Saint-Tropez's first sandal maker since 1927. Four generations of the Rondini family have preserved fully handmade tropézienne production in their historic workshop. The last artisan in the Var still working 100% by hand. Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant.
History
1927, Saint-Tropez. Dominique Rondini, an Italian cobbler pushed out by Mussolini's regime, first settled in Saint-Raphaël before a friend advised him to try his luck in Saint-Tropez. He opened a small shop at 18 rue Clemenceau. The sign read: "Rondini bootmaker, made-to-order shoes & repairs of all kinds."
The tropézienne already existed, created by a man named Gustave Robert, a weaver fascinated by ancient Greek art. A simple spartiate: one vertical leather strap, four horizontal straps, one flat sole. Dominique took that model and refined it. Sole leather is French, tanned with oak bark for twelve months. Each pair requires almost two hours of fully manual work.
His son Serge took over and expanded the range. In 1983, the third generation assumed control of the workshop. Alain, the founder's grandson, grew up in the smell of leather. He learned every gesture of the trade to preserve this family jewel. The clientele is loyal and high profile: Colette, Pompidou, Brassens, Brassaï, Juliette Gréco, Marlene Dietrich, Kate Moss. Brigitte Bardot, according to the house, "always walked barefoot."
The workshop sells around 13,000 pairs a year, about thirty models offered in braided leather, natural python, or genuine crocodile. The classic Tropézienne, Bikini, Saint-Raphaël, Serpent, Égyptienne: each model has its own story. The Serpent was created by Serge and given to his wife for their engagement. Prices run from 130 to 300 euros depending on the line.
Nothing has changed since 1927. The same cutting dies still shape the flagship models. Production and sales happen in the same place, the boutique-workshop on rue Clemenceau. No resellers, no corners. You come to Saint-Tropez or order on their site. The company employs around ten people in winter, twice that in summer. In 2022, Rondini received the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant label. Four generations, one workshop, the same gestures.
Iconic Products
Tropézienne Classique
The original sandal since 1927. Four horizontal straps, one vertical, flat oak-tanned leather sole. The model Colette, Gréco and Dietrich wore in Saint-Tropez.
Bikini
The quintessential feminine model. Minimalist, two fine straps crossing the foot, still hand-stitched in the rue Clemenceau workshop.
Serpent
Created by Serge Rondini and given to his wife for their engagement. Braided leather straps, a cult model that keeps seducing decades later.