The Lucchese Bootmaker Company () is a Texas-based, American manufacturer and retailer of luxury level cowboy boots and western apparel.
History Originally known as Lucchese Bros. Boots & Shoes, the company was founded in 1883 in San Antonio, Texas, by Salvatore "Sam" Lucchese (1868–1929) and his brothers, all Italian immigrants from Sicily.William Manns, How the Cowboy Got the Boot, American Cowboy, March–April 2000, p. 52Bill Harvey, Texas Cemeteries: The Resting Places of Famous, Infamous, and Just Plain Interesting Texans, University of Texas Press, 2003, p. 222 , In the beginning, their primary customers were military officers in the United States Army that were stationed at Fort Sam Houston.Lucchese: Our History 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.
In 1949, the company was commissioned by Acme BootsC. J. Hadley, Trappings of the Great Basin Buckaroo, University of Nevada Press, 2003, p. 138 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, 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, 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 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 Lucchese brand sponsorships include the Lucchese Polo Team.Lucchese Polo Team
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