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

Shoji Kawaguchi aka "Marquess" - Japanese bespoke shoemaker

For the followers/readers of this blog you may have realised that I have a fascination of shoe artisans from Japan. I believe (not fact) that Japan has more bespoke shoe artisans than most European countries. In my search I stumbled upon "The Marquess" aka Shoji Kawaguchi who makes some very beautiful shoes. I assume that Master Kawaguchi is European (English) trained, as his shoes bear the English trademark, but I could be wrong. Enjoy these beauties from Japan for the weekend. 

Brown crocodile side gusset on a chisel square toe last

 Oxford punched cap toe on a rounded toe last, tan calf leather

Brown side gusset with medallion squared toe last on pigskin 

 Black pigskin side gusset with false laces-punched cap toe, soft chisel last

Client fitting of black calf leather side gusset with false laces - punched cap toe - rounded last

Photos sourced from Marquess Bespoke