Bespoke shoes from Osamu Egewa - Japan

For the day I have sampled shoes and boots from Master Esamu Egewa  from Japan. Some of the shoes have a bit of a twist, splash and dash which I have never seen before. I would like to highlight the wing Balmoral Oxford in brown calf and brown suede, where the lacing is extra covered. Interesting indeed. The black calf and black suede Chukka with the tassel lacings. Another interesting and unique creation. Lastly the button Balmoral boot, nothing strange about it, rather the hide selection, which is a combination of calf and what looks like elephant hide (top part) then it is green(ish).

Well take a peak and judge for yourselves.

Wing Balmoral Oxford with extra closing

 Two toned Balmoral Boot in calf and Calf (upper grained hide in brown)

 Bootie, not sure to name it Chukka, but a bootie in calf and suede with strange lacing.

 Button Balmoral boot in calf and exotic (elephant??) two toned

Co-respondant Full brogue Oxford boot

 Co-respondant full brogue Oxford shoe

 Stitched cap toe Oxford in a nice antique patina

Photos sourced from Master Esamu Egewa 

Vass Laszlo - Model French Oxford Boot in exotic hide and calf leather

My visit to Vass Laszlo shoe ended up with a boot commissioning, a boot order, which was based on a prototype (only one shoe made - at the moment) and was on display. The boot model French-Oxford Boot was made of exotic hide (black) and calf leather also black on the Vass U-Last, no cap toe stitchings, just plain. My own will be based on the same model as the below depicted, but on Radica Cognac antiqued Oxblood colour calf leather and the uppers of a complementary suede colour and will do away with the 4 speed hooks. In addition get metal toe taps too. 
If I recall correctly the below depicted boot is about 1300 Euros as it is. A bargain, indeed. Overall I am glad that I at last did pay The Vass establishment a visit, it was worth it. If you are thinking of something special, do not hesitate to pay Vass Laszlo's shop a visit. No need to commission, just have a shoe talk. If you are lucky, you may run into the Master in person.

French-Oxford Boot in exotic and Calf hide (black on black)

The large gapping on the laces is due to not fastening them tightly, just needed the feel of the boot.

My boots will be made of a hide similar to the below, but the colour will be more Oxblood like hopefully. The below sample photo is from Style Forum, if I recall correctly this type of hide was used by John Lobb on some of their models, I think it was called Museum calf by Lobb. 

Photos sourced from me (The Shoe Aristo Cat)

Guild of Crafts - Japan

Guild of Crafts, Asakusa (Japan) is one of the bespoke shoemaking houses which needs to be mentioned when naming the bespoke shoe industry of Japan. The Guild was established in 1996 in Asakusa, the heart of Japanese shoemaking region, by master shoemaker Chihiro Yamaguchi. 

In 1999, The Guild founded "Saruwaka Footwear College" and in 2006 the Guild opened flag shops in Ginza and Tokyo offering bespoke and made to order foot wear.

Enjoy and have a pleasant weekend.

Master Chihiro Yamaguchi in person

The Guild works with classical shoe styles, then add a modern twist to some of the creations whilst paying great respect, attention to the details, add massive passion and dedication to the art of shoemaking.  The results can be seen below at the depicted creations. 

Very distinctive side strapped single monk, I like the design of this monk. It is a monk I would like to add to my footwear arsenal.

A two toned Balmoral boot with a modern twist, stitched cap toe, chisel square toe last

 A Spat boot in two tones, rounded last

Diamond peaked cap toe side gusset in three tones

Peaked cap toe, suede side gusset...hmmmm....

Inner side laced oxford with a monogram

Seamless whole cut Oxford

 Another whole cut Oxford 

Classical stitched cap toe Oxford with darkened cap toe, square chisel last

A U winged Adelaide Oxford with a medallion, chisel square toe last

A very interesting hide samples, I think Ostrich leg and calf leather Oxford with very interesting brogue on the cap toe, round toe last.

Women's shoe designs by the Guild.

 A sports car shoe in pure leather, single tier. 

Photos sourced from Guild of Crafts and Diane Pernet Typepad

Happy Easter - time to pack up the Winter Balmoral boots

It looks like I have to pack up the Winter boots for storage and unpack the Spring/Summer shoes. The Winter boots to be stored away until next Winter are from Crockett and Jones (Avebury) and Gaziano & Girling (Canterbury) both are Balmoral boots.

With the two boots to be packed I wish all of you A Happy Easter and hope that you enjoy the seasonal holidays.

Gaziano and Girling Balmoral boot (Canterbury) in black (leather) and brown suede, punched cap toe on the GG06 last (round last)

Crockett and Jones Avebury Balmoral boot in Chestnut, punched cap toe, 337 last, chiselled soft square.

All photos sourced from me.

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