GJ Cleverley - Butterfly loafer made of 1786 Russian Reindeer leather

It is Summer and shoe talk it's about loafers, loafers and more loafers in all colours, hides etc. For the day I sampled a very elegant, hardly seen loafer - a butterfly loafer from GJ Cleverley made of the exquisite 1786 Russian Reindeer leather in black...nothing fancy, colourful, just old simple plain black colour.  The beauty of this shoe lies in the design, squared chisel toe and, yes guessed right the unmistakable GJ Cleverley square chisel toe and from the salvaged 1786 Russian hide. Yes, not crocodile or alligator.

Going bespoke need not be peacock and bling and here "I am thing", just kept simple, elegant and classic. Wow what a shoe!

Butterfly loafer in 1786 Russian Reindeer hide. A beauty

Photos sourced from GJ Cleverley

Hidetaka Fukaya - The Butterfly loafer

A while ago I blogged about Japanese bespoke shoe maker (Hidetaka Fukaya) residing in Italy (Florence), article is here. I was following up on new creations from the hand of Mr. Fukaya and to my delight, I found two butterfly loafers in the making process.


I have a very special bond with butterfly loafers, as they are not so common as tassel loafers or other types of slip-on shoes. I can only recall two men shoe shops that have them available as ready to wear products and I have never seen them worn in real life. 
So in short in the pursue of the ultimate butterfly, the below design (left) is closer to what I am looking for. I like the pattern design and overall look as renditioned by Master Fukaya.

Japanese bespoke boot and shoe maker Master Hidetaka Fukaya in person.

Butterfly loafer (suede) with punched cap toe left and calf leather right.

The left butterfly loafer, has a punched cap toe and brogueing which 

makes it more attractive and balanced to my eye. Judge for yourself

Pictures sourced from Hidetaka Fukaya's FB profile.

Shoes of the day - Marc Guyot

For the day, I have chosen some shoes from Marc Guyot (Paris, France). Mr. Marc Guyot offers very unique pieces of clothing, be it as ready to wear, made to measure or bespoke. His inspiration is from the American dress code of the thirties and forties.
As seen below he offers very unique and special shoes for the demanding gent.


With the shoes from Mr. Marc Guyot, I will wish you a pleasant weekend.

A two-toned split toe Norwegian derby (brown and blue)

 Two toned split toe Norwegian derby in tan and green

Two toned oxford balmoral boot

 Patina Derby Boot

Butterfly loafer (my summer favourite)

All pictures sourced from Marc Guyot

Today's theme - Riccardo Bestetti Spring/Summer Shoe Colours

Each time I take a look at Riccardo Bestetti's shoe colours, I get amazed that he has the ability to make shoes that are so artistic that they belong in an art gallery than shoes to be worn. 
Mr. Bestetti has created some of the most beautiful colours to compliment the Spring/Summer season. The colouring of each shoe is so unique, exclusive and personal to each shoe. To all of your gents who need colour for your elegant outfit, why not pair your clothing with any of the below pieces. Enjoy.

Single Monk

 Peaked cap toe

 Purple loafer

 Stitched cap toe

 A loafer, a strapped shoe and a side gusset

 My favourite butterfly loafer

Double strapped loafer/monk?

 A double and a tripple monk

 Green Iguana monk

 Stingray loafer

Another tripple strapped monk

 Trippe Monk

All pictures sourced from Riccardo Bestetti Shoes

Spring 2012 is here - colours for Spring and Summer

Today I will look into the Spring/Summer shoes, rather the lighter coloured shoes that compliment the sunny days & warm weather. Yesterday I packed the dark(er) coloured shoes away and brought the lighter ones out for a spit shine where applicable.


Well, here in the Nordic, Spring is still far from us, still cold and windy, today wetness with hail was added to the cold & wind. Imagine, how that felt like, I was cold. But as we say up here, "there is no bad weather, just inappropriate dressing." How very true.


I am still looking forward to Spring, so when I saw Drakes of London Spring and Summer collection 2012, I was inspired to blog about lighter coloured shoes to compliment the sunny & warmer days to come.

Drakes of London Spring & Summer colours for 2012

Spring / Summer coloured shoes are a must to have for a Shoe AristoCat, Shoe lover, Shoe snob or any Gent into classical shoes. Below are bespoke pieces by Tony Gaziano's hand from his time at Edward Green. 

Quarter brogue oxford

 Quarter brogue punch cap toe side gusset

 Full brogue with initial as a medallion

 Full brogue with medallion

 Semi brogue no cap toe with medallion

 Butterfly loafer (1) split toe

Butterfly loafer (2) with brogueing on the apron

Pictures sourced (shoes) Tony Gaziano (Gaziano & Girling), Drakes of London