Perfectionist shoemaker, 75, finds spice of life in Chengdu

Italian shoemaker Gianluigi Colombo, 75, who oversees quality control for a growing Chinese footwear brand in Sichuan province, has two distinct faces.

At a shoe factory in the provincial capital, Chengdu, Colombo will not hesitate to tear apart a pair of handmade high-heels that miss his standard by even a stitch. His extreme attention to detail sometimes scares his young Chinese apprentices.

But when he strolls down alleys lined with snack stalls and teahouses - an essential part of the city's leisure lifestyle - his inviting smile and bright, colorful outfits never fail to liven up the atmosphere around him.