The Original Palm Beach Sandal
The story of the original Palm Beach sandal began in the early 1960s, when Palm Beach style was taking shape. Luigi Pucillo, together with my parents, Benny and Eva Bonanno of West Palm Beach, created the original handcrafted Palm Beach sandal—also known as the Navajo Jackie'O sandal—for Jacqueline Kennedy.
Working from their family shoe repair shop, my father, a master cobbler, and my mother, an expert in color and hand-stitching, handcrafted every pair from the finest leather. Each sandal was made one at a time, creating a unique work of art.
At the same time, Lilly Pulitzer was introducing her colorful printed dresses that would define the iconic Palm Beach look. Women paired those vibrant prints with the handcrafted leather whip-stitched sandals made by Bonanno, making them an essential part of the Palm Beach style of the 1960s.
When the Lilly Pulitzer collection returned in the 1990s, the classic Palm Beach look—and the colorful whip-stitched sandals that completed it—made a comeback as well.
After my father's passing in 1989, I continued the family tradition. Today, alongside my wife Lisa Ann, we still handcraft every pair from 100% leather in Panama City Beach, Florida, just as my parents did more than 60 years ago.
There have been many imitations, but there is only one original.
"It's Bonanno's or barefoot!"
