Lucchese Boot Company
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The Lucchese Bootmaker Company () is a Texas-based, American manufacturer and retailer of luxury level western-inspired footwear and
cowboy boot Cowboy boots are a specific style of riding boot, historically worn by cowboys. They have a high heel that is traditionally made of stacked leather, rounded to pointed toe, high shaft, and, traditionally, no lacing. Cowboy boots are normally ma ...
s.


History

Originally known as Lucchese Bros. Boots & Shoes, the company was founded in 1883 in
San Antonio, Texas ("Cradle of Freedom") , image_map = , mapsize = 220px , map_caption = Interactive map of San Antonio , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = United States , subdivision_type1= State , subdivision_name1 = Texas , subdivision_ ...
by Salvatore "Sam" Lucchese (1868–1929) and his brothers, all Italian immigrants from
Sicily (man) it, Siciliana (woman) , population_note = , population_blank1_title = , population_blank1 = , demographics_type1 = Ethnicity , demographics1_footnotes = , demographi ...
. In the beginning, their primary customers were military officers in the
United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, ...
that were stationed at Fort Sam Houston.Lucchese: Our History
/ref> Salvatore Lucchese believed in combining quality components and craftsmanship in the boot-making process. He committed himself to investing in the latest manufacturing technology and to developing new techniques for increased boot production. In 1923, Salvatore Lucchese suffered a stroke, consequently his son Cosimo Lucchese took leadership of the company. In 1929, Cosimo led the effort to incorporate the Lucchese Boot Company.Elizabeth C. Ramírez, "Lucchese, Sam", Handbook of Texas Online (http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fluan), accessed July 13, 2015. Uploaded on June 15, 2010. Published by the
Texas State Historical Association The Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) is a non-profit educational organization, dedicated to documenting the history of Texas. It was founded in Austin, Texas, on March 2, 1897. , TSHA moved their offices from Austin to the University of ...
.
In 1949, the company was commissioned by Acme Boots to build a collection of state boots for an advertising campaign. It took the Lucchese team four years to build the entire collection. Every pair of state boots is unique and features each state's flag, capital, bird, flower and state commodity. Fewer than 25 pairs are still in existence today. In 1960, Cosimo Lucchese died suddenly and his son Sam Lucchese became company president. Sam counted both everyday customers and celebrities among his clientele, including President Lyndon B. Johnson, who was a Lucchese customer for decades. Other celebrities who wore Lucchese included singer
Bing Crosby Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby Jr. (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer, musician and actor. The first multimedia star, he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century worldwide. He was a ...
, actor James Garner, and Zsa Zsa Gabor, who had a pair of custom-made Lucchese boots. The late Dolph Briscoe, former Governor of the State of Texas, purchased his first pair of Lucchese boots in 1938 and his final pair in 2008. In 1970, Lucchese Boot Company was sold to Blue Bell Overall Company, the parent company to Wrangler. Sam Lucchese died in May 1980. In 1986, the company transferred its headquarters from
San Antonio ("Cradle of Freedom") , image_map = , mapsize = 220px , map_caption = Interactive map of San Antonio , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = United States , subdivision_type1= State , subdivision_name1 = Texas , subdivision_ ...
, Texas, to El Paso, Texas. Lucchese's main production facility remains there. In 1998, Blue Bell Corporation sold Lucchese to Arena Brands, a Western Apparel conglomerate that was formerly known as Hat Brands, Inc.Bloomberg: Arena Brands
/ref> In 2012, the name was changed to Lucchese Bootmaker. The company has global operations, having created and produced products in Texas, Mexico, Italy, and Brazil, all of which are made to Lucchese guidelines and standards of quality. In 2009, the company was recognized by the State of Texas Legislature for the company's contribution to Texas history and culture by passing House Concurrent Resolution 226. Four years later, in 2013, Lucchese launched a new consumer website.Kristen Studman
From Presidents to Rock Stars: This shoe brand is the go-to choice of icons
''Elle'', June 14, 2014
As of December 2020, Dallas businessman John Muse is the chairman of the company.Bloomberg BusinessWeek: John Muse
/ref> Lucchese brand sponsorships include the Lucchese Polo Team.Lucchese Polo Team
/ref>


References

{{Reflist 1883 establishments in the United States Clothing retailers of the United States Companies based in El Paso, Texas Companies based in San Antonio