I was on Facebook today and I found Imai Hiroki's Facebook profile with pictures of these beautiful patina and glacage shoes. These shoes are pieces of art work and are amazing and stunning, made not to be worn but placed and stored in a museum behind thick armoured glass for visitors to view and admire.
He handles the leather he is working on like a painter will work on canvas. This is no more polishing of shoes & getting a shine, but pure art that brings the beauty of the hide/leather out. I am stunned. The French and Italian patina masters must be careful, as Imai Hiroki is the new Da Vinci, who pushes the art of patina and glacage to higher levels.
View and decide for yourselves. Enjoy.
A Whole cut oxford painting by Laundry Lacour
Side laced wholecut with tiger motif by Master Hom
Comic strip inspired oxford, very cool by Master Hom
Oxford Balmoral boot in greyish/blue patina by Master Imai
Burgundy and grey whole cut bootie by Master Imai
