Posted by David Assil
on May 29, 2026
New · Sandals · Madison Maison
A Timeless Sandal,
Brought to Life with Mara Bini
- A new Madison Maison sandal. A multi-strap gladiator silhouette in cracked metallic leather, designed by David Assil and crafted in Italy by the Mara Bini factory.
- Available in two colorways. A warm gold. A cool silver.
- Sculptural block heel, 55mm. Polished ankle buckle for a bespoke fit.
- Style ID MD308. Made in Italy. Runs one half size large.
- $595. Available now at the Madison Maison store in Beverly Hills and online at madisonstyle.com.
A t Madison Maison, this is the sandal I have been wanting to make. I started with a simple idea. A sandal that felt timeless. Inspired by the easy style of past decades. Modern enough to wear now. I brought the design to a factory in Italy called Mara Bini. They do exceptional work. Quiet craftsmanship. Technical precision. They executed the sandal exactly. The metallic leather is not a bright shine. It has a softer character. The cracked finish gives it personality. It pairs with denim. It pairs with a dress. Available in silver and gold. Made in Italy, with respect for the woman walking in them.
Not a bright shine. A softer character. Sophisticated. Versatile.
The Design
Great design should stand the test of time. That has always been the rule here.
When I started sketching this sandal, the vision was simple. Something easy. Something that felt like the past, but worked in the present. I wanted the silhouette to do the talking, not the logo.
For the build, I went to a factory in Italy called Mara Bini. They have been quietly making some of the most thoughtful shoes in the country for years. Craftsmanship. Technical expertise. The kind of detail you only get from a small atelier that still does the work by hand.
I shared the design. They executed it with precision. Every detail was considered. The result is exactly the sandal I had in my head.
The Finish
The metallic is the first thing you notice. But it is not what I expected when I started.
I did not want a bright, flashy shine. That kind of finish dates a shoe before you ever wear it. I wanted something softer. Something with a character that does not announce itself.
The Mara Bini factory brought back a cracked leather treatment. A gently aged surface that catches the light differently than a flat metallic. It looks lived-in from the first wear. It pairs with denim. It pairs with a dress. It pairs with both.
Silver and Gold
The same shoe, in two moods. A warm gold for the evening. A cool silver for everything else.
I could not pick one. So we made both.
With respect for the woman walking in them.
Designer's Notes
Who built it
A Madison Maison sandal, designed by David Assil. Built in Italy by the Mara Bini factory, a small atelier known for exceptional craftsmanship and technical precision. The kind of place that still does the work by hand.
Where is it made
Made in Italy. Leather upper and lining. Built one pair at a time, in the Mara Bini workshop.
How does the fit run
Runs one half size large. If you are a 37, take the 36.5. The ankle buckle adjusts for the rest.
What is the heel height
A sculptural block heel, 55mm or 2.17 inches. High enough to lift, low enough to walk a full day.
What is the cracked metallic finish
A gently aged leather treatment, not a bright shine. The cracked surface catches the light differently and looks lived-in from the first wear. The finish softens the metallic so the sandal pairs with denim or a dress.
Shop The Sandal
Madison Maison · Made in Italy by Mara Bini · Style MD308
Come see them in store, or online at madisonstyle.com.
Thank you so much.
David
Madison Maison
A specialty store in Beverly Hills
9630 Brighton Way · Beverly Hills, CA 90210
+1 310-273-9999 · madisonstyle.com
One of a Kind Style. Handmade in Italy.
Madison Maison · Beverly Hills · madisonstyle.com