Spanish brand TLB Mallorca has introduced a new range of models made in Shell Cordovan. The take is a bit special, where the ten different models are made upon request and the customer can choose any type of leather, sole etc, without any MTO upcharge.
It’s been in the works for quite sometime, intended to be introduced some time ago, but postponed due to Covid and different challenges that came with that. Now, it’s finally here though, the new Shell Cordovan range from TLB Mallorca. The cordovan they use is from the Rocado tannery, from the Italian tannery district Santa Croce Sull’Arno in Tuscany. Not as popular as Horween, but certainly a highly regarded cordovan tanner. For example the famous American leather goods maker Guarded Goods, who have extensive experience with basically all Shell Cordovan in the world, has written this on the Rocado Shell: “They have improved the quality of their shell greatly over the last few years. It used to have issues with dye bleed but that has been corrected. The temper feels much better and closer to Horween.”
Some of the models part of the new Shell Cordovan collection. I like that focus is on the sleek Artista models, there’s already loads of options out there with casual style cordovan shoes, this is more unique, and as apparent above, these type of shoes certainly looks amazing in shell as well.
The new range consists of ten different models, most of them are existing Artista models, but also a few brand new styles are introduced. Personally I really love a new derby style with punching along the opening, a punched “cap” and medallion, which looks awesome. There’s also a punched wholecut in a similar style that I did together with Italigente when I worked for that company (you can read more about this style in this article), and a slightly updated plain toe derby model. They won’t have stock of these cordovan shoes but since they have a select range of models they are able to offer them without an MTO upcharge. So any model can be customised with colour, last, sole edge colours, sole type etc, and are then made according to the personalised specifications. The price is €725 (about $620 excl. VAT for orders outside EU), which certainly is an excellent price for shoes with Artista’s excellent specifications (extremely narrow waists, real leather heel stiffeners, hand sanded sole and heel edges, close-cut heels and so on) made according to your own specifications.
Plain toe derby.
My favourite of the new models is this great looking derby.
Black cordovan, JR leather sole with the narrow waist of Artista.
The loafers part of the Shell Cordovan range are made on the main line last Jones which is rounder and has that more casual style one want in this type of loafer, yet still as I understand it with real leather heel stiffeners etc. of Artista.
Navy special adelaide. All pictures: TLB Mallorca
Wow, those are beautiful shoes. Expensive to be sure, but I would think their quality justifies the high price.
Robert Konshak: Yes, you get a lot of shoes for the price for sure.