November 10, 2015
I just got back today from my trip to NYC. I only had about 4 hrs of plane sleep (that sleep where you arent really asleep but really awake either. You know, that very strange state of being in your head but time is still flying by) and I have decided to take another day off to get my bearings in order. But I saw these Mannina’s on Instagram and couldn’t help but share them […]
October 1, 2015
August 27, 2015
Every year Parisian Gentleman does a review/list of all of worthy makers of the world and a breakdown about what makes them who they are and their pricing. It is an amazingly extensive list that I can only praise them for taking the time to make. Must be a week’s worth of work in one grand (and informational) post (and this is only part 1!). As I don’t have the time for that these days, […]
August 21, 2015
I have always had a fascination with the idea of wearing red shoes. The problem is that it is very hard to do. I actually have a pair, of quite red ones (like cherry red), but yet they may see the light of day once a year, if not less. It’s not that I don’t like wearing them but in a city like London where one is constantly bombarded by people, judging ones at that, […]
August 5, 2015
I am not going to lie, I have never really been a fan of white soles, not on smart shoes at least. That was until Septieme Largeur started doing them. And while I can’t say that I own a pair, I can admit that when I look at this I am attracted to it as for me it presents the ideal blend of a smart casual shoe. I find myself more and more wearing leather […]
July 9, 2015
When it came to derby shoes with apron stitching, I was always a fan of the Italian way of making them: sharp-nose, slick lines and dressy all around. Santoni used to make an immaculate one in their old ‘fatte a mano’ range that used to be blake-rapid construction and quality wise was on par with your best English made shoe. Gone are those days now and the new apron toe derby’s of the world that […]
July 1, 2015
Ramon Cuberta (bespoke shoemaker out of Barcelona) makes a sharp chisel toe. It just might be the sharpest that I have ever seen. There is no mistaking that line and it really gives off the idea of how chisel a chisel last can go. Part of this is creating a very sharp last on the corners of the toe box, but also doing a very good job of molding (hammering and sanding down) the leather toe […]
February 10, 2015
Yet another manic day trying to box up all of our stuff while at the same time trying to run a smooth business. Not an easy feat to say the least! Gosh I hate moving and to make it worse, not only are we moving business this month, but I will also be moving flats too!! Not my month! Oh well, at least it’s not raining outside. Okay, so I have been meaning to […]
February 2, 2015
I just touched down in Madrid, heading to the factory that does the handstitching on our apron vamps and to see about creating some prototype driving shoes. Always loved driving shoes but hated the ridiculous prices that came attached to the big Italian brands. Lets see if I can create something good but also economic in pricing. After that I will be heading down to the South Central of Spain to go to […]
October 12, 2012
Dear Readers, Yet again, it is a day that not only am I swamped under with 10 trillion things to do, but I am also quite emotional (mainly frustrated), and therefore, can’t get my head on straight to be witty for all of you. I do apologize and hope these pictures of Bestetti’s new masterpiece can make up for my lack of attention to the blog and all of you. I do promise to catch […]
