Showing posts with label spectator. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spectator. Show all posts

Saturday, 8 June 2013

Co-respondent shoes (Spectators) by Master Cliff Roberts of Northampton

It has been a while that I mentioned something from Master Cliff Roberts from Northampton (England), the one man bespoke operation. It so happened I was on my Face Book account and I realised that I am outdated with what is happening or taking place.
Long story short, I found these two lovely co-respondent (spectators) by Master Cliff Roberts. Both shoes are Adelaide Oxfords, the burgundy and white in a squared chisel toe last and the black and white in a round toe last.

According to the story, the co-respondent shoe was a John Lobb design from 1868, made for the cricketing sport, but first became popular in the 1920's and 1930's (think The Great Gatsby, Gangster's of the time Al Capone and Jazz musicians). What an era.

It is also claimed that the popularity of the co-respondent was due to the HRH Duke Of Windsor (HRH The Prince of Wales) when he wore a tan and white co-respondent pair of shoes during a visit to the USA in 1925 and further popularised them as golf shoes in 1937.

The co-respondent comes in a many varieties such as full brogue Oxfords, Adelaide Oxford's, Derby's, Norwegian split toes and can also be constructed as loafers or slippers. The DNA of the co-respondent is that it comes in two colour combination for example, black and white, brown and white, tan and white etc. Originally  the co-respondent was constructed of willow calf and white buck or reverse calf suede. The white part was sometimes made from mesh material, to offer better ventilation in hot weather. So what does it tell, the co-respondent must be part of the Summer shoe arsenal for any gent who cares, just a bit.

HRH The Duke of Windsor kicking rugby in a double breasted suit paired with co-respondent shoes. Cool aristocrat gent. 
Much talk and .....let us see the rendition of the co-respondant by Master Cliff Roberts. 

The co-respondent, an Adelaide Oxford shoe in dark brown (burgundy) and white, punched cap toe with a medallion, a soft chisel squared toe last. A real good looking shoe from Master Cliff Roberts. I like the colour combination. Well done, as always Master Cliff.
A black and white co-respondant (Adelaide Oxford), punched cap toe on rounded last, just beautiful.
Photos sourced from Master Roberts FB profile

Friday, 19 April 2013

Misawa Noriyuki's weekend teasers

For more teasers for the weekend I have sampled these brogues from Master Misawa Noriyuki a Japanese bespoke shoemaker. Let the appetiser's speak for themselves. Enjoy!

Some inspiration during the weekend for the Spring/Summer
Semi brogue spectator Oxford in light brown and white.
A full brogue Oxford spectator in dark tan and white
A two toned wing tipped brogue Derby boot in tan and white
Photos sourced from Style Forum

Friday, 29 March 2013

Yutaka Seigaku - Corno Blu (Spectator)

I am truly astonished and overwhelmed by some of Master Yutaka Seigaku (Cornu Blu) renditions of classic men's shoes. Blogged about him here. I have to say, a good friend of mine is in Japan at the moment but around Tokyo and I asked him to look up Master Yutaka Seigaku, and I was told (Seigaku) is about 750 Km from Tokyo. I was devastated, but I can not get a friend running half of the Japanese islands to catch up with my favourite shoemakers, well? 

But ...Master Yutaka Seigaku posted the following on a blog as a tribute to The Shoe Aristo Cat, I am much obliged Master Seigaku. Thank you.

When is Spring and Summer coming? Wow- wonderful. Enjoy and have a great Easter.
  
 Full brogue two toned spectator from Master Yutaka Seigaku, simply a beautiful rendition of a shoe. That slim waist! Fantastico! You will see more from Master Seigaku.
Photos sourced from The Shoe realist

Tuesday, 15 January 2013

DC Lewis Footwear - shoes made in....

About mid 2011 there was a bit of a rush and talk on Style Forum when two members of SF joined together to establish DC Lewis Footwear. At the beginning the debate was much about shoes made in countries which are not known for producing shoes at all. That is to say, for some members on the Forum, shoes had to be made in Italy, England, France, Japan or and the USA, otherwise the shoes could not be of good quality. Hmmm... However DC Lewis Footwear proved that to be wrong and they were right. Bottom line is, if the shoe is well designed, Goodyear welted, well lasted, the leather is premium leather, well made (artisanship) and rightfully priced, does it matter where they are made? Guess not in my humble opinion. But I maybe in the minority. 
Lots of men buy Ecco shoes, which are really ugly, not even "fashionable" (even if I despise fashionable things) and they are probably made in some far corner of the world unknown to us or never heard of. 
Enough of talking....and let us review and judge the offerings made by DC Lewis Footwear made in .....????


A Balmoral boot in shell cordovan




A side strapped single monk
 A quarter brogue Oxford with punched cap toe and a medallion
 A side strapped double monk in exotic leather, chisel square toe
Same shoe as above as worn by owner
 A quarter brogue spectator in two tones, leather and suede.
 A stitched cap toe Oxford in shell cordovan
Photos sourced from Style Forum

Tuesday, 10 July 2012

The Shoes of the day - Maftei

For the day I have picked up these stunning rendition of spectators from the Viennese (Austria) based bespoke shoemaker Maftei, I have earlier written about the company hereIt seems adding different colours than various browns, black, tan and burgundy is a trend beyond the French and Italian shoemakers, who are known for venturing beyond the norm when to comes to colouring shoes.
The below full brogue spectator in navy and white is so well renditioned by the Maftei house that it may well be a staple spectator for the shoe collectors. The shoe looks very stunning, appealing and tastefully executed. Hopefully even the most conservative will find the below pair interesting.
Below another rendition of the full brogue spectator in cognac brown and white. I love the warm colour of the brown, very well done from Mr. Maftei. At the end I would not mind having both pairs in my shoe wardrobe.
Pictures sourced from Maftei, later update and Claymoor

Tuesday, 3 July 2012

Vintage Nunn Bush Ad

Vintage Nunn Bush ads from pre WW2. Stunning beautiful ad of a spectator and other shoe models from a great American shoe making era, long lost and gone.
Photos sourced from Vintage Ad Browser

Wednesday, 27 June 2012

Spectator of the day by Gaziano & Girling

For the day, whilst it is Summer, I have sampled a spectator by Gaziano & Girling of England. The spectator (St. Ives) as named by G&G is in vintage oak and ivory suede, made on the G&G round last (GG06). The shoe is a made to order sample.


To complement your G&G spectators, pair them with a cream coloured linen suit, add a Panama hat to the ensemble, then a you will look smashing and dashing for the tropics.
The St. Ives (spectator shoe)


Photos sourced from Bespoke England

Anthony Delos Bespoke Boot and shoemaker

One can not blog about shoes & not mention Anthony Delos a bespoke boot and shoemaker from France. Mr. Delos a young man in his thirties but with an extensive long experience in the shoe crafting trade. Mr. Delos produces very unique classical, stylish and elegant timeless pieces of foot wear. Enjoy.

The master at work, Mr. Anthony Delos.
A two toned Adelaide, calf and suede
A balmoral oxford
 A two toned balmoral city shoe
 Chelsea boot
 A Crocodile/alligator Chelsea rendition
 A very interesting Derby rendition
 A brown Derby with beautiful patina
 A full brogue
 A Half brogue Oxford
 A spectator
 A whole cut oxford
 A different Ghillie rendition



All pictures sourced from Anthony Delos