French brand Heschung has been moving on several markets recently, with for example a new agent for the Nordic countries and representation at the New York based online store No Man Walks Alone. France is as many know one of the most prominent countries in terms of classic quality shoes, and it’s great that at least some of the brands are expanding with new retailers also outside their home country. Here’s a look at their A/W 15/16 collection.
The brand was founded by Eugene Heschung in 1934 in the Alsace region in north-eastern France, an area with woods and water streams, where several tanneries has housed and still houses (such as the Hermés-linked Haas). Today it is Pierre Heschung who sits at the helm, the third generation in the family. Ever since its inception, the focus has been on classically designed sturdier models, from the beginning boots for among others farmers and lumberjacks, skiing boots and more, and still today it is a little rougher and more casual models that the brand is associated with, even if they have some classic, neater models as well. Part of the production is still done in the original factory in Alsace, and part of it in Hungary.
A pic from the newly opened factory in 1934, with Eugene and his wife Madeleine Heschung in the middle. Picture: Heschung
For this fall and winter their iconic Gingko boot is as always in the centre, a two tone derby boot with heavy rubber soles and reverse welt construction. It’s a version of the Goodyear welted construction where the welt has been split and one piece is placed against and stitched to the upper, and the other part is stitched to the outsole with a regular sole stitch, making for a really solid shoe. The Gingko is a model with a special look, a real love or hate shoe. Every year it returns in new combination of leather and shaft material.
One of this year’s Gingko versions seen from above.
A heavy rubber sole that can manage quite a lot on the Gingko.
There’s several other models being made with reverse welt construction, like the plain toe blucher Crocus and the single monk boot Chene and single monk shoe Bouleau. They also have some regular Goodyear welted models with flat welts, some in interesting grain materials like an adelaide oxford made on a slightly more shaped, asymmetric last.
What’s nice with Heschung is that they also offer a great selection of women’s shoes, where these models have been taken as seriously as the men’s selection. And it’s not just classic models for men being made into tiny versions for women, but really great chelseas with high heels and clean derby models with equally high heels, looking like something women like and want to wear rather than something their boyfriend wants them to wear.
The prices of Heschungs offerings vary depending on construction method, material and if it’s a shoe or boot for example, but are in general between €340 and €500.
Nice looking adelaide in black grain.
A regular single leather sole on a Goodyear welted model.
Derbys.
Two single monk versions, one high and one low.
A selection of this autumns models from Heschung.
A derby for women, sold at Skomaker Dagestad in Oslo. Picture: Skomaker Dagestad
