We first learned about Antonio Amato, one of Bergdorf Goodman’s top-selling shoe salesmen, in Daphne Merkin’s New York Times Magazine article examining the newly renovated and expanded shoe department there. Described by Merkin as “a courtly and impeccably dressed Naples-born connoisseur of women and their footwear,” Amato noted that his customers “Don’t spend time in the kitchen — they spend time in Bergdorf.”

Obviously, this made us want to spend time with him. Amato’s seen a lot in his 30 years in the shoe biz. Here’s what he had to say about his craziest shoe stories (like that time he sold 28 pairs to one customer), and how he responds when customers ask for Ugg boots (quel horror!).