This week I bought a new pair of TLB Mallorca Artista shoes, a pair of reverse stitch toe derbys in dark brown hatch grain. A really great model, definitely worth it to share a bunch of pics of the goodies.
The shoes are bought through Skolyx, the company I work for and who is a retailer of TLB Mallorca (as I’ve mentioned before, yes I pay for all my TLB or Skolyx shoes, albeit only the wholesale price). It’s not technically a split toe derby, since the toe seam is only a decoration stitch and not holding two pieces together. Most would probably not see the difference though, since it’s made in a similar way with “skin stitching” done half way through the leather. They are made in a dark brown hatch grain leather from Horween, on the soft square last Velazquez, which really suits well to this type of model. It has all the great features of the Artista range, like the very slim waist even if it’s a city rubber sole, bevelling going in all the way under the heel for further strength, relatively tight cut heels, real leather heel stiffeners and so on. They sure look like more than the €425 ($401 excl. VAT) they cost. A bunch of pics below.
The Velazquez last is perfect for this type of model.
With the city of Gothenburg as backdrop.
Seen from above.
The apron and stitching at the toe are hand stitched, but it’s not two separate pieces that are stitched together in the toe, it’s a reverse stitch made on the back of a single leather piece, hence the name Reverse stitch toe derby if one are to be fully correct.
Front view.
Back view.
The sleek waist of Artista showed off.
Another view.
Some detail shots.
Hi Jesper – outstanding blog!
Why no (welt) fudging on rubber sole TLBs? On either Main Line or Artistas, pity.
How do you feel about TLB Artistas lasted shoe trees? On which last are the main line ones done?
Thanks!
J: Thanks a lot, glad you enjoy the blog!
It’s not really possible to do it with the fudging machine, it “squeezes” around the sole edge and with the rubber sole it’s not working. It’s been tried and the factory is trying to find a solution to it.
The lasted Artista shoe trees were a bit short the first batch, but it’s been solved now and they are excellent IMO. The main line trees is build to not fill out the top of the toe too much (there’s a stiffener there anyway so no real need for it), hence it suits all main lasts well since the lasts are just the same only the toe shape that differs.
Hi Jesper, could you please tell me how these fit compared with something on Loake’s Capital last?
David: Relatively similar in length, ball width and instep, more arch support and closer fitting heels on TLB lasts.
Thank you for this picture special, I recently bought one of these models and just wanted to look at the beauty of these pair when I’m not wearing them.
By the way, I accidently scratched the toe part but thankfully the scratch disappeared after a light rubbing with my fingertips. I forgot that the leather on these were from Horween and is probably heavily tanned with oils and is extremely durable!