Rafael opened his New York store in 1994, in the heart of the Garment District. He continues to create classic shoes and accessories, as well as designer pieces for theater, musical performers, and fashion magazines. Besides shoes and boots, he makes wallets, belts, watch bands, bracelets, handbags, portfolios, and hats out of leather; he also does repairs of all kinds. He specializes in exotic skins such as alligator, python, and ostrich. All of his pieces are made by hand, one at a time, in the Old World way.