Bespoke Seersucker Suit for Summer -

How to pull a great Summer look like the gent (Dandy) Mr. Akira Sorimachi below.  The Japanese Dandy is elegantly dressed in a bespoke Seersucker two button single breasted suit, white shirting with a club collar, tie in a dark shade of blue, white linen pocket square, blue socks, co-respondent loafer in brown and white, top it all off, an umbrella. Simple, elegant and so classic an outfit. Well done Sir.

Japanese Dandy Mr. Akira Sorimachi, elegantly dressed in a bespoke Summer suit.

Photo sourced from Bespoke Makers

GJ Cleverley - RTW - Aiden and Harold

I know for most of the time I focus on bespoke shoes, especially when writing about the likes of George Cleverley, from London. Now I know that the George Cleverley's house does produce some very nice and elegant, classic ready to wear shoes, which I own a number of pairs. So when I saw the darkened "tan" Aidan and the full brogue which I believe is the Harold, I was thrilled. Here I give you the Aidan and Harold from George Cleverley from the bench made offerings. Nice, classic and elegant samples. 

The Aidan breaded tassel loafer in a darkened tan colour.

The Harold full brogue in black and the other in tan calf hide.

Photos sourced from Dandy Shoe Care Tumblr

Dandy Shoe Care - EG Loafer & Full brogue

For the day I have sampled two pairs of shoes made by Edward Green of Northampton, England, and both pairs were treated under the artistic hands of Grand Wizard Patina designer and artist, Alexander Nurulaeff aka Dandy Shoe Care of Italy. I picked up these two as I like the movement, energy and drive in the patina colour that takes both pairs to higher dimensions, thus becoming unique shoes from Edward Green with the helping hand of the Dandy Shoe Care. Hmmm...nice touch from the Dandy Shoe Care.

For the Full brogue, the stitchings and punching are highlighted and you see not only the beauty of the shoe but also the movement of the colour in the hide, just fantastic. The same goes for the loafer, it is seldom you see the toe part of a loafer with a spit shine, that mirrored gloss. Master Alexander Nurulaeff kept a very good balance between the  the original tan colour of the loafer with new the new darker toning, bringing attention to the stitched apron. Nice energy in the loafer.

Edward Green Full brogue after a treatment by Dandy Shoe Care

 An Edward Green loafer after special treatment by Dandy Shoe Care

Photos sourced from The Dandy Shoe Care

GJ Cleverley - alligator and calf hide loafer

For the day, I have sampled a beautiful rendition of a loafer in alligator and calf hide from the London based house of GJ Cleverley. A rare combination of two hides on a loafer, as the two hides accentuates the scales of the alligator apron, thus differentiating the shoe from a Ready To Wear one. This loafer is a classic by the nature of the black colour. 
The depicted is on a GJ Cleverley chisel square toe, which is trademark or "DNA" of the GJ Cleverley house, as no one pulls the chisel square toe as the venerable GJ Cleverley. This is an exquisite rendition of a loafer. Simple, elegant and yet classic. Enjoy.

The black alligator and calf hide loafer from GJ Cleverley

Photos sourced from GJ Cleverley

Bestetti single strap loafer

For the last few days the weather has shown signs of Spring (here South of Sweden), which is promising, and I can not stop thinking of loafers, suedes, linen clothing and picnicking. In general lighter clothing and shoes to complement the sunny hours and colours of the day. 
This brings me to the below depicted loafer, a Riccardo Bestetti single strap loafer with a buckle, in honey colour or rather a tan/mahogany or even cognac in a beautiful patina, resembling honey. Master Bestetti's shoes do come with the most extra ordinary colouring, I have to say. Some times I wonder if the patina is not the work of Grand Master Alexander Nurulaeff (Dandy Shoe Care), I may be wrong, none-thereless, exquisite patina & colouring and elegantly looking. Candy to the eyes.

Master Bestetti's single strap loafer with a buckle on a square chisel toe. Amazing.

Photos sourced from Master Bestetti

Gaziano and Girling - Cannes loafer

For the Spring/Summer inspiration a gent may opt for a Gaziano and Girling loafer with a raised apron and a split toe on the square chisel toe (TG73).  This is a nice rendition of a loafer without a strap, perhaps opt for a lighter colour. Enjoy

Cannes in Highland grain calf hide. Love the texture of the hide.

Photo sourced from Bespoke-England

GJ Cleverley - Mid night blue exotic leather loafer

For the day I have sampled a casual shoe, a loafer made by the GJ Cleverley house. What is intriguing about the below loafer in mid night blue exotic hide, it's the fact that it was inspired by a Ready To Wear loafer called the "George" from the Cleverley's. A reversed process, as most of the time Ready To wear shoes are inspired by bespoke samples/offerings. 
The Cleverley's write the following about the below loafer: "

For this third edition of the Bespoke Shoe of The Week series, we would like to present you this beautiful pair of midnight blue casual loafers. It is very important to start this article by highlighting the fact that this particular loafer style is the mostchallenging in terms of the bespoke process. Due to the absence of laces the construction of the shoe must be perfect to ensure the required fit is provided in the finishing product. Old man Cleverley would systematically refuse to take any orders for casual shoes. This being said, when the work is properly done the end result is always astonishing.

The pair of shoes you can see in the pictures was directly inspired by our Ready to Wear best-seller loafer called the George. Its elegant and fine shape makes it a shoe that would match numerous outfits within a gentleman’s wardrobe, from the very formal to the more casual one. With its band on the instep not extended to the sides this shoe definitely has a modern look while not being too ostentatious.  

If we abide by the saying that a man can be judged from his pair of shoes, the owner of this pair then shouldn’t be worried about the gossips. We can find here a taste in superb quality and a firm appreciation for the exquisite things in life, all the while,with a will to remain discreet and subtle."

A beautiful casual shoe, no doubt about it. Great loafer, I think I will head for the "George" in suede. 

Midnight blue exotic loafer 

Photos sourced from GJ Cleverley.

Hatch grain loafers with hand stitched apron and decorated saddle strap

Today I have sampled a very interesting pair of  loafers made of hatch grain (false Russian hide) with a hand stitched apron and decorated saddle strap. The loafer is designed by owner "Bengal-Stripe" aka Mr. Rolf Holzapfel, dubiously honoured member of Style Forum. Bengal-Stripe is amongst the "heavy weights" as a contributor on SF's bespoke shoe forum.

What I understand is, Mr. Holzapfel designed the patterns for the loafer, submitted the patterns to an army of true shoe artisans who then create the shoe product on his ("Bengal-Stripe") behalf . In short, I can say he (Mr. Holzapfel) designed and made the shoe, though the making should not be understood in the literary sense. The loafer is simply stunning, no doubt a very beautiful piece of artwork. 

Wear it in good health "Bengal-Stripe".

Bengal-Stripe designed hatch grain loafer with hand stitched apron and decorated saddle strap.

The pattern design sketches by "Bengal-Stripe"

Saddle strap decoration pattern sketch

The lasting of the loafers on trees

All photos sourced from Style Forum.

Dimitri Gomez - Whole cut exotic loafer

Master Dimitri Gomez the Parisian Bespoke shoemaker, the man who designed the 337 hand grade last for Crockett and Jones (Northampton) needs no introduction. I blogged about Master Dimitri Gomez a while ago here and today I have sampled an exotic bespoke loafer, a whole cut, the type resembling home slippers like the Alberts, but this baby is very costly. Not just any whole cut loafer, but in orange coloured crocodile. Amazing piece.

Enjoy your weekend.

A whole cut orange crocodile whole cut loafer

Photos sourced from Dimitri Gomez

Hidden gems from Style Forum 2012 - Mr. Antonio25

It was some time since I last visited Style forum and as I was browsing through the shoe threads and forums when I came across a gent named Antonio25. According to Mr. Antonio25, he has worked for Kiton and Rubinacci, which are both Italian houses offering high-end men's clothing and shoes.  As I was reading through the "shoe damage report" thread, I noted that Mr. Antonio25 showed the below depicted well made shoes each with a very brilliant patina that brought the individual pair to higher grounds of admiration. To my surprise, Mr. Antonio was offering these hand made shoes, patina and all, for less than 500 Euros per pair minus postage and handling. I lost my jaw for a second or two. Why? Hmmm....look at them, these shoes shows that the maker has respect for the craft of bespoke shoemaking, is paying attention to the details, and not to mention that he has also mastered the art of the patina. A discipline for itself.
My favourites: the boot and the punched whole cut oxford. I think Mr. Antonio is just teasing my appetite and I am looking forward to the other dishes to be offered. So in short ....I am a very hungry man and waiting for a reply from Mr. Antonio25. More news on these beauties......and thanks Mr. Antonio25 for sharing these beauties with us at Style forum.

Strapped loafer with a nice shine

 Oxford laced boot with an amazing patina in tan and dark brown, I love the rendition of this boot and colouring.

 A beautiful loafer with a darkened toe

 Side laced oxford in a very beautiful red and black patina. I imagine this patina on a Chelsea boot, wonderful.

 A rendition of a wing tipped oxford in beautiful tan and light brown patina

 A Berlutisque rendition of a stitched apron oxford, the patina is breath taking

 A punched cap toe with a medallion on a burgundy whole cut oxford. Classy.

Photos sourced from Style forum

Faded natural patina - WS Foster and Sons

WS Foster bespoke boot and shoemaker, made these not so basic black patina shoes. It is my understanding that the origins are from a pair of bespoke shoe which was never collected by a client and was later used as a display pair at the window. Over the years the sun had produced the fading colour and thus a natural patina was on the make. Today the same patina can be replicated for an additional charge if the client wishes so. 

Faded patina quarter brogue punched cap toe oxford with medallion on a squared chisel last

Faded patina on punched cap toe oxford on a rounded last

Faded patina on a loafer

Faded patina on a brogued wing tip monk

Faded patina on a side gusset

Pictures sourced from WS Foster and Sons and A Suitable wardrobe

Ivan Crivellaro - Blues for the Monk and Loafer

A while ago I blogged about bespoke boot and shoemaker artist Master Ivan Crivellaro here. For today I have sampled two/three of his latest works where the Master simply went blue, furthermore he pushed the soles ("soul's") of the monk to higher demanding level. The sole work of some of the creations are just so great, I suppose this will be Master Crivellaro's signature on his art works. Simply adore the "Blue" theme. Wonderful Master Crivellaro.

A blue double monk, yes. The sole (soul) of the monk very picturesque, plain art.

 A closer look at the Monk in blue and his "soul"

The initials of the Monk in blue

Side view of the double monk in blue

Blue monk in full display

The blue and grey herringbone tweed loafer

 A blue and grey herringbone tassel loafer

 A view of the toe of the loafer in blue and herringbone

Photos sourced from Master Ivan Crivellaro's FB profile