As the world becomes more and more technologically advanced, vulnerable species often cannot evolve quickly enough to survive. The result can be extinction. One species that is becoming more and more rare is the artisan shoemaker. Sure, they're out there. You can still find some in London, Belgium, and of course, Italy. But large factories and automation are taking their toll.

Michael Toschi has taken a step to preserve the craftspeople that are still able to make a shoe entirely by hand. Vecchia Mano -- which means "Old Hand" in Italian -- is a brand new program introduced by Michael Toschi International that is their first foray into an entirely benchmade shoe with a leather sole. The program will be made available through select retailers and at special trunk shows attended by Toschi representatives trained in taking the appropriate measurements.

Vecchia Mano was unveiled for the first time at the Collective in New York -- a big show for men's retailers who were not lucky enough to get an invitation to Davos for the World Economic Forum (maybe next year!). And while there were plenty of beautiful new shoes to look at that will be available in the Fall of 2007, including new models in kidskin leather, Crocodile golf shoes, and a Motard-inspired casual boot, the Vecchia Mano collection stood head and shoulders above the rest.

Vecchia Mano shoes are available in 5 different styles and a dozen leathers. The shoes will start at $1,600 and go up to $2,500 for exotic leathers like Crocodile and Ostrich.