Report from the Shoegazing Super Trunk Show 2018

The five-year anniversary of the Shoegazing Super Trunk Show in Stockholm showed that the interest in classic shoes is still high in the country, when around 800 visitors showed up and bought about 100 pairs of shoes worth about €40,000 (where many more orders are added after the event) . Here is a report of the event of last weekend.

In other words, it was a slight increase from last year when the number of visitors was a bit above 700, nice to see. Equally nice is the amazing feedback we organizers – myself, Roland Olsson, Adrien Combier Hogg and Joakim Berggren (who had been prevented and unable to join the day) – received from visitors and exhibitors. Not least the new second hand market Shoegazing Market was highly appreciated, both by people who sold shoes and those who found bargains. There were a lot more shoes than I expected, we had 30 sellers who together sold almost 100 pairs of shoes. They were handed over in the morning, and the unsold pairs could be picked up later, the ones who were left we have donated to charity. 30 pairs were sold at Shoegazing Market, of which several were real catches. For example, a pair of Edward Green Inverness in good condition went for €300, same price for a pair of Gaziano & Girling boots in Kudu leather, or more or less brand new Loake 1880 shoes for €100.

Shoegazing Market was what first encountered visitors arriving at Scandic Anglais at Stureplan last weekend.

Some of the second hand shoes on offer.

On the exhibition floor, Hungarian Vass made a comeback, which many visitors were happy with. Their successful mix of Austrian-Hungarian tradition, modern lasts and models, and great price for a fully handmade shoe is popular. Skolyx brought with them Yanko, who is well established at this time, but also for the first time its own private label brand plus the praiset Spanish brand TLB Mallorca. German Heinrich Dinkelacker had its new collection, and had a world premiere for their digital bespoke service, scanning the foot with an iPad and the lasts are made based on the 3D scan. Interesting service I tested, will write more later on.

Vass’ table at the event.

Skolyx had a steady stream of visitors who tried on and asked questions about their shoes.

Adelaide model without brogueing from Heinrich Dinkelacker.

More traditional bespoke were offered by Polish Jan Kielman, and they received a total of nine bespoke orders during the day, which is really good. Several visitors thought it was very interesting to get a closer acquaintance with Japanese RTW shoes for the first time, with Jsep (Japan Shoes Export Platform) and the brands Miyagi Kogyo, Matsumoto and Kiten. British Gaziano & Girling not only showed samples of their premium RTW and bespoke shoes, also Neuz Benavent painted shoes live, and Daniel Wegan showed how it works when lasting a seamless wholecut.

Jan Kielman the younger discusses details with a customer.

Blue from Miyagi Kogyo.

Goodies from Gaziano & Girling.

Also the top thtree from the World Championships in Shoemaking were shown at the event, and many appreciated getting to see these masterpieces in the flesh.

The main partner was as usual the shoe care wholesaler Brunngård, who displayed and sold a selection of its wide range during the event. Partly their now established organic range from Springyard, but also a brand new series for cleaning and care of sneakers named Shoe Shame. New partners were Shirtonomy, which offers affordable Made to Measure shirts, and the tie and accessories brandGranqvist, which managed to squeeze lots of products onto its exhibition space.

New series sneakers care range from Brunngård.

Stylish display at Shirtonomy.

Ties from Granqvist.

At the stage area it was as usual a nice atmosphere when the Swedish shoe shining championships final took place. Joakim Spogardh, Johan Olsson and Michael Håkansson had qualified, they had 20 minutes to polish a Loake Aldwych shoe as beautiful as possible. After a difficult jury review, Michael Håkansson was appointed winner, he went home with €300, the shined Loake shoe and its sibling, a shoe care kit from Brunngård and a glass award.
We also had a seminar about the fit of shoes with Daniel Wegan, head of the Gaziano & Girling School Department, and Jörgen Stålborn, who runs Hojs Skomakeri in Borås. It became really interesting, with several concrete tips and many questions from the audience.
Both of these events can be viewed in the film stream at the bottom of the post (Swedish only).
The day ended with a very nice dinner in the hotel’s restaurant, with both exhibitors and visitors attending.

The final of the Swedish Championships in Shoe Shining.

The winning shoe shined by Michael Håkansson, who also runs the patina service Magic Mike Patina.

Daniel Wegan and Jörgen Ståhlborn together with me during the seminar on skors fit. Picture: Daniel Öhrstedt

Many thanks to everyone who was in any way part of the event! And as always, we’ll be happy to receive your input on how to develop it further, write a line in the comment field below or send an email to shoegazingblog@gmail.com. See you next year!

Lots of visitors as usual.

Second hand shoes at Shoegazing Market.

Testing shoes at Vass.

Boots from Vass.

Various derbys.

Skolyx’s own Goodyear welted range priced at €200.

Skolyx collaborates with Magic Mike Patina and offers patination.

Balmoral from TLB Mallorca.

With Heinrich Dinkelack’s digital bespoke service, the feet are scanned with an iPad.

The kind of shoes Heinrich Dinkelacker is best known for.

Their distinctive sole on heavier models.

Sole on a Jan Kielman bespoke sample.

Inside the dito.

Classic with a twist.

Nice Japanese shoes from Matsumoto.

Taka from Jsep explains something.

Alpine boots Kitten from Kiten.

Gaziano & Girling’s new, neat and summery Fresco range.

Elegant boot.

Neus Benavent painted shoes.

Daniel Wegan shows how to make a seamless wholecut.

A lot of leather to be stretched out.

Lasting done.

Brunngård’s table.

The eco labelled range Springyard Shoe Therapy.

Shoe shining stuff.

Nice overshirt in linen from Shirtonomy.

Fitting Shirts.

Granqvist well-filled table.

Many ties to choose from.

Shoe shining competition final. Picture: Daniel Öhrstedt

Swedish champion in shoe shoe shining: Michael Håkansson.

Large crowd in front of the stage.

Visitors take a closer look at the end results.

The three finalists’ shoes after 20 minutes of intense rubbing. From the left, shoe shined by Joakim Spogard, Johan Olsson, Michael Håkansson.

Daniel Wegan and Jörgen Ståhlborn talk about fit.

Jörgen showed different ways a cobbler can modify the fit of a shoe.

Audience who attended the seminar.

World champion shoe is carefully examined.

More Shoegazing Market shoes.

Leather accessories by Malton & Kielman.

Shoes in long rows.

Swedish Championships in Shoe Shining 2018 (Swedish only):

Seminar about the fit of shoes(Swedish only):