John Lobb's shoes in Museum calf hide

After visiting Master Vass Laszlo's establishment in Buda-Pest, I could not get the John Lobb "Museum Calf" hide out of my head. So I looked around to find the different shoes made by John Lobb in this special antiqued hide. Now I am more than overwhelmed with the antiquing of the hide from the tannery directly. The hide has a almost interesting natural patina that is so beautiful, regardless the colour (be it Parisian, Plum etc). So I am even more anxious to see the outcome of my commissioned boot  from The Vass establishment in Hungary. The hide will be from Ilcea tannery in Italy from the Radica offering.

All good things come in due time, so I am very patient. Enjoy the John Lobb renditions in "Museum calf" and have a pleasant weekend.

Oxford Boot in Museum calf (both)

Chelsea Boot in Museum calf (left)

Double monk in Museum calf (right)

 Punched cap toe Oxford in Museum calf

 Full brogue (austerity brogue) in Museum calf

Photos sourced from Style Forum and Leather Soul Hawaii

John Lobb - bespoke -Oxford cap toe with brogue vamp

The venerable London based bespoke shoe and bootmaker John Lobb is well known around the world for their shoes, a symbol of classical English shoes, a trademark of the connoisseur, the ultimate shoe lover, so stylish, elegant and timeless. I have been going through their on-line catalogue of bespoke shoes and boots and I recall stopping a few times at the below depicted Oxford laced shoe with a cap toe and a brogue (perforated vamp) no heel counter perforation. 
In my opinion this is the most beautiful rendition of a half brogue Oxford laced shoe with a punched cap toe. Simple, elegant and timeless. The mahogany / cognac colour adds sophistication to it. I do not know many houses that carry this shoe, but it is in my humble opinion a beauty. The cap toe is not darkened as expected but lighter in  colour than the rest of the shoe. Simple yet elegant and refined.

John Lobb's Oxford laced punched cap toe (with medallion) and a brogue vamp. Chisel square toe. 

Photos sourced from John Lobb Bootmaker

John Lobb x Paul Smith Westbourne punched cap toe Oxfords

John Lobb (venerable bespoke shoemaker) and Sir Paul Smith went together to create this punched cap toe Oxford with a medallion in four very interesting colours, rather the three pairs are very unusual, whilst the brownish is more or less expected. The first two are rather intriguing, the first a purple classic Oxford, second a blueish, third a brown (nothing that surprising or unexpected and the last a greenish shoe. A closer look at the colours all seem to be very sober and will raise appreciation and admiration rather than a faux pas in very conservative circles. I think they are very personalised in some form, they have that bit of splash and a teaspoon of dash added to make statement, a strong statement without being vulgar. Lovely colours. I could have all four. 

John Lobb x Paul Smith Westbourne punched cap toe Oxfords in stunning colours

Photos sourced from Leather Soul Hawaii

John Lobb - classic creations for the day

For the day I have sampled two classic creations from John Lobb the venerable bespoke shoemaker. The below two renditions are from Lobb's bespoke operation. I simply like the design, colouring of these classic Oxfords. Very stunning and beautiful.

A classic John Lobb rendition of an Oxford with a medallion on the cap toe

A classic stitched cap toe laced Oxford with an inner side gusset

Photos sourced from Style Forum

John Lobb - Spirit of Capitals - Shoes

The venerable London bespoke boot and shoemaker John Lobb (St. James), produced a collection of shoes named the "Spirits of Capitals", the collection was born out of a challenge for the house to craft a pair of shoes that would embody a city in the world. 
See the boot collection here.

For the day I sampled two pairs of side gussets from the "Spirits of Capitals", a "New York" side gusset slip-on and a "Beijing" side gusset laced oxford  in green / grey suede.

"New York" Side gusset from "Spirit of Capitals" collection. This side gusset is very unique in dark pink box paired with antique blue finish box.

"New York" Side Gusset viewed from the side 

"Beijing" Side gusset oxford in green grey suede with pearl grey piping

Photos sourced from The Dandy Project

John Lobb - Spirit of Capitals - Boots

The venerable London bespoke boot and shoemaker John Lobb (St. James), produced a collection of shoes named the "Spirits of Capitals", the collection was born out of a challenge for the house to craft a pair of shoes that would embody a city in the world. For the day I sampled two pairs of boots from the "Spirits of Capitals", a "Moscow" Balmoral oxford laced boot and a "London" Derby country boot.

The "Moscow" Balmoral Boot made for a Russian Opera singer, the boot is in different shades of browns and texture (leather and suede). The clients initials are hand embroidered in Cyrillic letters on the heel of the Balmoral ankle boot. The joys of going bespoke, lovely boot. Though a tad too much for my liking, meaning the initials.

The side view of the "Moscow" Oxford laced Balmoral boot.

The "London" Derby boot in gold Barenia calfskin and khaki canvas.

These boots in cotton canvas and calfskin are unmistakably London.

Photos sourced from The Dandy Project

John Lobb - two and three toned creations

John Lobb needs no introduction in the bespoke shoe business, same as Rolex, Mercedes Benz or Coca Cola are well known brands around the world. Just enjoy JL's creations. 

Balmoral Boots line up

 Button Balmoral shoe with punched cap toe. This type of shoe I have never seen on a gent's feet in real life. Very formal and elegant. 

 Laced Balmoral oxford in black leather and grey suede 

 Full brogue spectator, very nice looking shoe for the Summer.

Photos sourced from Engrande Pompe Forum

John Lobb - Double monk in 24 karat gold - too much?

A bad joke from John Lobb?? No! - The ultimate "new rich" man's shoe, a double monk in 24 karat gold for the sole and the buckles. Now that is way out of touch with most people. It is in my humble opinion too much, perhaps our "new rich friends" from the former USSR will find this shoes with gold soles appealing. Lobb offers what the client wishes for. Not my cup of tea anyway. I had to share anyway. 

John Lobb double monk, soles and buckles are made of 24 karat gold.

Photo sourced from Cyberspace

John Lobb - Balmoral boot - 1900

A three toned laced Balmoral boot from the beginning of the 20th century by John Lobb. Amazing how beautifully constructed, designed and executed this boot is. It is like a no nonsense boot, but with grace and style. Beautiful rendition even with the double sole.

Photosourced from Dandy Shoe Care - Tumblr

John Lobb - Double Monks 2

Double monks by John Lobb for inspiration when commissioning or just giving the double monk a thought. Let the below pictures tease you for a moment. 

Black Double monk boot

Double monk boot sourced from Shoeshiner Japan and the double monk shoe from Leather Soul Hawaii

John Lobb - Double monk

For the day I have sampled the double monk from John Lobb. Enjoy and have a pleasant weekend.

Bespoke double monk with Norwegian welt stitchings

Photos sourced from Tumblr