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Yesterday the legendary Swedish bespoke shoe and bootmaker Janne Melkersson sadly passed away. After over 45 years in the trade there wasn’t much about shoemaking he didn’t know, and he spent the last decades passing this knowledge on to others. A beloved man that will be truly missed.
When I wear my Wellington boots made by the Swedish bespoke shoemaker Janne Melkersson, the point of high boots become so obvious: its protective properties. You can walk around in the forest or wherever like a bulldozer, nothing disturbs you.
How much finishing that is applied on leathers from the tannery varies vastly, some casein finished box calf can be really shiny and have a nice depth already from the start, but most leathers are actually more or less dull and lifeless when delivered. Especially unfinished (note, not the same as undyed) crust calf or similar, which are left for the maker to burnish in a desired direction. Above shows the huge difference between unfinished and burnished.
My latest acquisition is rather different from what I mostly wear, yet something rather intriguing, if you ask me. A pair of bespoke side seamed Wellington boots in Horween Chromexcel leather, where Swedish bespoke shoemaker Janne Melkersson of Melker Shoes & Boots have added a Scandinavian touch to a very traditional British model, and created a quite spectacular pair. Here’s lots of photos of both making and final pair.
He has been working with shoes since 1977, hosts shoemaking courses for people from all over the world, and he has made lasts that’s been a source of inspiration for Gaziano & Girling’s acclaimed Ready to Wear lasts. Meet the Swedish bespoke shoemaker Janne Melkersson.
Articles continued:
Once again time for a review of my shoe collection at its current state – one of the most asked for articles from readers. This time it’s 30 pairs of shoes shown in lots of pictures and some text.
I’ve had quite a few pairs of bespoke shoes made and have gotten to see my feet interpreted into lasts by a number of bespoke shoemakers, and it’s always as fascinated to hold these pieces of wood and realise how your feet actually are shaped, more or less.
Time for a new review of my shoe collection as it looks right now. Quite a lot has happened over the last two years since I last had time to do this type of post, although the amount is the same: 23 pairs in total.
I’ve written about this before in other shoe care articles, that it’s good to let wet shoes dry lying on the side to speed up the drying process and allow the entire shoe to be aired. Recently I became aware of what can happen if you don’t do this, when one of my bespoke pairs from Janne Melkersson was used in rain and were left standing as usual, and ended up with a proper formation of mildew on the sole.
In this post you will get to follow the manufacturing process and seeing the end result of my second pair from the Swedish bespokeskomakaren Janne Melkersson. For me, these are a bit extra special since my twin brother has made the hand sewn decoration stitch on them.
