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The Japanese bespoke maker T. Shirakashi Bootmaker has launched his first range of hand welted Made to Order models, on standard lasts available to order online. Shoes made to a very high level, which stands out with his distinct casual feel.
The British shoemaker Caroline Groves is one of the bigger names in Europe for women’s bespoke shoes and boots. Now she’s introducing two MTO models on standard lasts, made to the same high standard as her bespoke shoes, and hand welted with 14 spi sole stitching.
The first big player in the classic shoe industry that might fall due to corona seems to be British Foster & Son. They closed their factory this summer, now they are according to unconfirmed info to close their Jermyn Street store where their bespoke workshop has been based as well. Here’s a summary of what we know and the most credible rumours.
NOTE: NEW AND CORRECTED INFO ON THE TOPIC HAS BEEN ADDED FROM FOSTER & SON, SEE BOTTOM OF THE ARTICLE.
The Austrian brand of hand welted shoes, Zonkey Boot, launched a new really nice and informative website this week, and with that also introduced the possibility to order any model in any of four different widths with no upcharge. To celebrate the launch they offer a 10% discount on all orders during this week.
Crockett & Jones have been worn by actor Daniel Craig in the two latest James Bond films, and now with the coming No Time to Die the British brand have deepened the relations with the production company, and developed a new version of their popular black wholecut oxford – named James.
Recent articles continued:
Just the other day the Australian webshop House of Agin opened up its digital doors, offering really affordable hand welted shoes by the Chinese maker Mattina. Prices start at only €360 including lasted shoe trees and free shipping worldwide.
This year the British brand Barker celebrates 140 years of shoemaking, and they do it with a new anniversary capsule collection where they’ve revisited their archives and brought back some old designs, paired with more modern Dainite rubber soles.
At the company I work for, Skolyx, we just had world premiere for a new range of Belgian loafers by the Spanish brand Yanko. Super comfy Blake stitched shoes with durable thin rubber sole and unlined reverse kudu suede or soft lined deerskin. Also info about the fact that the London Super Trunk Show has been postponed again to Saturday May 8 2021, and that the Stockholm super trunk won’t be held this year.
Two new entry level shoe ranges have seen the light of day this summer, with British online retailer Herring launching the Classic Elite line and J. FitzPatrick Footwear introducing their JF Line. Both with RRP at about €260 (the latter with a current pre-sale discount) and good looking Spanish-made Goodyear welted shoes.
It’s not every day new brands that make shoes in their own factory in British Northampton pops up. Newman & Regent manufactures Goodyear welted RTW/MTO shoes in the lower midrange price segment, and also offers factory-made bespoke for about €850.
