Visiting shoemakers in Budapest - Rozsnyai Shoes - part one

My dear blog readers profound apologies for being quite for some time, I just happened to be in Hungary (Budapest) and had to pay the famous Hungarian shoemakers a visit. I was fortunate enough to go into Mr. Vass Laszlo's establishment, he has two stores on the same street not far from each other and right in the heart of the city of Budapest. 

Not far from Mr. Vass there are other two Hungarian shoemakers, Buday Shoes and Rozsnyai. Unfortunately never had a chance to go into Rozsnyai, but did take some pictures through the display window.

I have to apologise for the almost crappy photos taken with an Iphone, but you all get the idea as what is offered by the Hungarian shoemakers in this case the Rozsnyai establishment. Need not say that the first week of my stay was very hot, almost unbearable, but the flooding had retracted. So that was good. 

For the day I will post a few shoes offered by Mr. Rozsnyai.

I almost passed the shop, when I saw the below pastel coloured whole cut Adelaide with punched holes and no brogues in green and blue on a chisel square toe last, similar to the Crockett and Jones 348 Last. 

A double strapped monk with a wing tip cap toe. Very elegantly done

 A green and black Oxford (the green hide looks like lizard, but could be mistaken) also on a chisel square toe last

 A Derby in brown Ostrich hide

 My favourite from Rozsnyai was the below strapped loafer in exotic hide. 

All photos sourced from me  "The Shoe Aristo Cat"

Co-respondent shoes (Spectators) by Master Cliff Roberts of Northampton

It has been a while that I mentioned something from Master Cliff Roberts from Northampton (England), the one man bespoke operation. It so happened I was on my Face Book account and I realised that I am outdated with what is happening or taking place.
Long story short, I found these two lovely co-respondent (spectators) by Master Cliff Roberts. Both shoes are Adelaide Oxfords, the burgundy and white in a squared chisel toe last and the black and white in a round toe last.

According to the story, the co-respondent shoe was a John Lobb design from 1868, made for the cricketing sport, but first became popular in the 1920's and 1930's (think The Great Gatsby, Gangster's of the time Al Capone and Jazz musicians). What an era.

It is also claimed that the popularity of the co-respondent was due to the HRH Duke Of Windsor (HRH The Prince of Wales) when he wore a tan and white co-respondent pair of shoes during a visit to the USA in 1925 and further popularised them as golf shoes in 1937.

The co-respondent comes in a many varieties such as full brogue Oxfords, Adelaide Oxford's, Derby's, Norwegian split toes and can also be constructed as loafers or slippers. The DNA of the co-respondent is that it comes in two colour combination for example, black and white, brown and white, tan and white etc. Originally  the co-respondent was constructed of willow calf and white buck or reverse calf suede. The white part was sometimes made from mesh material, to offer better ventilation in hot weather. So what does it tell, the co-respondent must be part of the Summer shoe arsenal for any gent who cares, just a bit.

HRH The Duke of Windsor kicking rugby in a double breasted suit paired with co-respondent shoes. Cool aristocrat gent. 

Much talk and .....let us see the rendition of the co-respondant by Master Cliff Roberts. 

The co-respondent, an Adelaide Oxford shoe in dark brown (burgundy) and white, punched cap toe with a medallion, a soft chisel squared toe last. A real good looking shoe from Master Cliff Roberts. I like the colour combination. Well done, as always Master Cliff.

A black and white co-respondant (Adelaide Oxford), punched cap toe on rounded last, just beautiful.

Photos sourced from Master Roberts FB profile

Antonio Pio Mele shoes and boots

In our digital world of today some artisans and craftsmen / ladies tend to take lots of attention and credit, whilst others remain unknown despite their trade and very high skills. Milan (Italy) has a hidden treasure in the person of Mr. Antonio Pio Mele bespoke boot and shoe maker, who is born into a family of bespoke shoe artisans and factory owners, he started to make bespoke shoes from an early age of seventeen. A call for him. 

Mr. A. P. Mele produces between 150 to 180 pairs of bespoke shoes per year for both ladies and gentlemen. The production lead time is between four to six months.
Please view the below crafts and determine yourself, a true hidden gem in the heart of Milan (Italy).  Very beautiful pieces of art.

Master bespoke boot and shoemaker Mr. Antonio Pio Mele in person, red trousers, tan double breasted jacket 6 button, closure four, pocket square, burgundy socks to the burgundy tassel loafers. A million dollar look. Looking dapper.

Crocodile riding boot

Crocodile side laced whole cut, crocodile belt and crocodile wallet

Russian reindeer adelaide oxford 

Tassel loafer in Russian reindeer leather

Two toned single monk, update here (the patina is the work of Dandy Shoe Care)

Green suede pump / opera shoe with a black bow

Photos sourced from Italian paper blog and Claymoor blog

Paulus Bolten the Shoe patina Master from France

Many of you know by now that I have this fascination about, patina, glacage and cirage. One of the old school Masters of the art is Paulus Bolten of Glacage Chaussures. A few months ago when I first started blogging about the art of patina I had some of his works mentioned/listed here. 
Today I am entirely dedicating this blog to him and his creations, which are so fascinating and well executed. Enjoy Mr. Paulus Bolten's artistic work.

The Cherry like coloured full austerity (blind) brogue, like a ripe peach to take a bite at.

A Whole cut oxford with darkened cap toe

A stitched cap toed oxford in blue 

A plain purplish oxford with interesting medallion

A Chelsea Boot  well renditioned 

A very interesting design for an adelaide oxford (hope I am correct) the shoe and the patina was what made me take Mr. Paulus Bolten's work for the day. Very, very dandy and sartorial. I love the design of this shoe and the patina executed. 

 A two tier crocodile derby in green and little touch of red. Amazing

 Two toned patina on an oxford 

 A wing tip balmoral oxford 

 A semi or quarter brogue oxford with a medallion on the cap toe

 Another delighting stitched cap toe oxford. That colouring is killing me

 A multiple toned full brogue oxford. Lovely.

All pictures sourced from Mr. Paulus Bolten of Glacage Chaussures

Anthony Delos Bespoke Boot and shoemaker

One can not blog about shoes & not mention Anthony Delos a bespoke boot and shoemaker from France. Mr. Delos a young man in his thirties but with an extensive long experience in the shoe crafting trade. Mr. Delos produces very unique classical, stylish and elegant timeless pieces of foot wear. Enjoy.

The master at work, Mr. Anthony Delos.

A two toned Adelaide, calf and suede

A balmoral oxford

 A two toned balmoral city shoe

 Chelsea boot

 A Crocodile/alligator Chelsea rendition

 A very interesting Derby rendition

 A brown Derby with beautiful patina

 A full brogue

 A Half brogue Oxford

 A spectator

 A whole cut oxford

 A different Ghillie rendition

All pictures sourced from Anthony Delos