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The rapidly growing collagen industry is changing the economics of leather production. Bovine hide splits are increasingly being bought for the production of collagen used in supplements, beauty products, food and medical applications. The result is reduced availability and rising prices for split suedes widely used in affordable and mid-range footwear.
The Swiss company Bally is one of the world’s oldest still existing luxury shoe and leather goods brands. After several difficult years, the company now appears to be facing its most serious crisis yet. Bally is under the supervision of the bankruptcy office, its Swiss production has ceased, and the owner has rejected an offer to acquire the entire business.
The Spanish brand TLB Mallorca now takes their popular MTO-service to the next level with a new 3D customisation tool, making it really easy to develop your own designs among the extensive options available. They introduce it with a launch promo offering 15% discount on all MTO orders placed until July 5.
Today the shocking news came that Tommaso Melani has passed away. He took over the Italian shoemaking company Stefano Bemer after its founder died in 2012, and has been doing an incredible job with developing the firm and established it as one of the most important Italian classic men’s shoe companies. A truly sad day for the shoe world.
Yes, you read that right. We’re not only moving our huge classic men’s shoe and menswear event in the U.S. from New York to Chicago. We’re also joining forces with Stitchdown Expo, formerly known as Boot Camp, the world’s largest gathering for quality boots and other more rugged footwear, plus other quality goods and suppliers. November 6-7 at Artifact Events in Chicago will be a true banger of a weekend that you don’t want to miss.
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One of the most sought after bespoke shoemakers we have in the world is without a doubt TYE Shoemaker. For many years the only chance to get a pair was to visit them in Tokyo, since a few years they started doing trunk shows in Singapore, and now they are doing their first ever trunk show in New York on May 27-30.
Last year I wrote about the news that the James Fayed, owner of the British shirt company Turnbull & Asser, bought a majority stake in the Northampton shoe manufacturer Tricker’s. Now merges between the two companies are announced, as Turnbull’s Creative Director Roberto Menichetti will take the same role at Tricker’s, and their footwear will be integrated into Turnbull & Asser’s retail network.
For some, this headline doesn’t mean much. For those in the know, this headline is massive. Most likely no other factory in the world has made Goodyear welted shoes for more men’s shoe brands the past years, making for everything from big players to small MTO-based brands. After new owners last year took over the Sendra factory in Almansa, Spain, they now will stop making shoes for external brands.
UK shoemaker Deborah Carré is conducting one of the largest academic research projects on bespoke shoemaking in years. Her PhD explores the transmission of shoemaking skills since the 1850s, with historical and modern shoemaking competitions – mainly the World Championships of Shoemaking – playing a vital role. She is now seeking shoemakers to participate in her research by answering a survey and contributing further. Collectors of vintage handmade shoes are also invited to take part.
The British shoe manufacturer Tricker’s recently had a new majority owner in James Fayed of the Fayed family, and now they are heading in a new direction as a company by taking home more and more of their sales themselves, with more focus on direct-to-consumer business.
