John Lobb's shoes in Museum calf hide

After visiting Master Vass Laszlo's establishment in Buda-Pest, I could not get the John Lobb "Museum Calf" hide out of my head. So I looked around to find the different shoes made by John Lobb in this special antiqued hide. Now I am more than overwhelmed with the antiquing of the hide from the tannery directly. The hide has a almost interesting natural patina that is so beautiful, regardless the colour (be it Parisian, Plum etc). So I am even more anxious to see the outcome of my commissioned boot  from The Vass establishment in Hungary. The hide will be from Ilcea tannery in Italy from the Radica offering.

All good things come in due time, so I am very patient. Enjoy the John Lobb renditions in "Museum calf" and have a pleasant weekend.

Oxford Boot in Museum calf (both)

Chelsea Boot in Museum calf (left)

Double monk in Museum calf (right)

 Punched cap toe Oxford in Museum calf

 Full brogue (austerity brogue) in Museum calf

Photos sourced from Style Forum and Leather Soul Hawaii

Gaziano and Girling - Chelsea boot (Deco - Fairbanks)

To start the weekend with a bit of inspiration I have sampled a Gaziano and Girling (from the Deco Line) a Chelsea (Fairbanks) boot which is very rich in colour, ehh...meaning black but with a twist of grey, a dash of navy and a hint of purple. Just lovely, cool boot.

I will wish you a very pleasant weekend with the "Fairbanks" Chelsea boot from G&G.

Fairbanks in black with a medallion on the cap toe

Photos sourced from Bespoke England

St Crispins creations for the day

I have sampled for the day some in my humble opinion very interesting "MTO" made to order creations from the Viennese based Saint Crispins house. The house needs no introduction as I have mentioned them previously on this blog here.

Below we have a sand suede punched oxford boot (punched cap toe) but then the same shoe has also side elastics like a Chelsea boot. Suppose the commissioner was not sure if he should opt for an Oxford laced boot or a Chelsea. So he took both worlds. I would have left out the elastic. But that is my opinion.

I sampled the below Chelsea boot for the unique orange suede colour, just to remind me that Spring and Summer will soon come. So why not put a bit of dash and splash of colouring to compliment the sunny season.

Here is a Saddle Derby boot in brown leather and mocha suede, chisel square toe, nicely done.

A Chukka boot in tan colouring with punched initials on the outside. I have seen this trend coming, meaning shoes having visible initials. Why? Not sure. Suppose a statement of some kind from the owner.  Nice boot anyway, would do away with the visible initials. It's a tad too much for my liking.

Photos sourced from Pinterest 

WS Foster boots for the gent

WS Foster and Sons London Bespoke boot and shoemaker offers a ready to wear Chelsea boot, the Oakley, which is the type of boot a gent needs to cope with the Winter snow and the wetness. The Oakley is made of a warm mahogany pebble grain and comes with a Dainite sole to have a good grip whilst walking the city streets.

 The "Oakley" Chelsea boot from WS Foster, just the boot for looking good in the snow. 

All photos sourced from Foster's 

Hidden gems - Master Antonio Meccariello Calzoleria shoes

Yesterday I mentioned hidden gems found at Style Forum by Antonio25. In the meantime I did exchange courtesies with Mr. Antonio and found out that there are more hidden pearls, appetite awakening arts of work from him. I received pictures of these "hidden" precious "stones" from Master Antonio today. And I have sampled a few on this blog to let you view, decide and judge the artwork, craftsmanship, energy, dedication and love of the art of shoemaking put into these lovely and beautiful creations of classical, stylish and elegant male shoes. Thanks for the pictures Master Antonio.

Well gents, just to tease your appetite for the weekend....a few pictures from Master Antonio who is based in Italy, and offers his creations in different welting techniques, such as Goodyear, Bentivegna, or Norvegese. My understanding is that he uses good quality premium hide and the shoes are offered at a very competitive and attractive price range. 

Have a pleasant weekend.

A black oxford with a special made cap toe, the decoration's name I am unable to name, but the very squared chisel toe is very elegant. The shoe is well done and can be part of a any classic shoe wardrobe.

 

 Master Antonio displays craftsmanship work on a winged tip single monk's welt, which is well done and balanced. A beautiful rendition of a medallion on the cap toe and wing tip brogueing. The patina of the shoe is calling for the Autumn season, well done. Country monk? Yes, good to go for the country side and very appealing for the season.

A wing tip Chelsea boot with an antique patina of brown and tan, the shoe last and brogue is similar to the monk above, but the patina on the Chelsea takes a darker shade. I like the proportions of both shoes.

A wing tip Derby with a very squared toe, beautiful patina. 

 

 A Norwegian Derby with a a massive welt construction and very well done antique patina in dark brown. Well proportioned shoe and very heavy duty.

 Close up of a toe cap showing the welting technique

A beautiful tan coloured Oxford shoe with very interesting decorations. Shoe seems to be a whole cut on a very rounded last and Goodyear welted.

Photos sourced from Master Antonio  his site.

Paulus Bolten the Shoe patina Master from France

Many of you know by now that I have this fascination about, patina, glacage and cirage. One of the old school Masters of the art is Paulus Bolten of Glacage Chaussures. A few months ago when I first started blogging about the art of patina I had some of his works mentioned/listed here. 
Today I am entirely dedicating this blog to him and his creations, which are so fascinating and well executed. Enjoy Mr. Paulus Bolten's artistic work.

The Cherry like coloured full austerity (blind) brogue, like a ripe peach to take a bite at.

A Whole cut oxford with darkened cap toe

A stitched cap toed oxford in blue 

A plain purplish oxford with interesting medallion

A Chelsea Boot  well renditioned 

A very interesting design for an adelaide oxford (hope I am correct) the shoe and the patina was what made me take Mr. Paulus Bolten's work for the day. Very, very dandy and sartorial. I love the design of this shoe and the patina executed. 

 A two tier crocodile derby in green and little touch of red. Amazing

 Two toned patina on an oxford 

 A wing tip balmoral oxford 

 A semi or quarter brogue oxford with a medallion on the cap toe

 Another delighting stitched cap toe oxford. That colouring is killing me

 A multiple toned full brogue oxford. Lovely.

All pictures sourced from Mr. Paulus Bolten of Glacage Chaussures

Imai Hiroki - Shoe patinas for the day

The "Big Gun Down" is on, Imai Hiroki' , whom I mentioned here the Master Patina Artist from Japan is pushing just like our European Master Landry Lacour (mentioned here and here) very hard on the patina art work and the discipline of this new artistry work on mens shoes. Both bringing this art to heavenly levels. Mr. Hiroki has published some very interesting patinas on a few pairs of shoes, I thought you might be interested to see the the new levels of artistry attained by these two unique artists who are really in their own league of patina innovators. From my side it is pure admiration & adoration of these two masters, each unique in their artistic approach but being different from one other, however both aspiring for the highest respect for the art work which they are both dedicated to, passionate about and have respect for. Well done gents.

Master Imai collection of patina works

 Balmoral boot in tan and shade of green

 A nicely executed patina art work on the Chelsea boot

 A single monk with a hint of pink on the cap toe. Hmmm....lovely

All photos sourced from Master Imai Hiroki'

Landry Lacour - Master Patina from Belgium

A few days ago I blogged about Mr. Landry Lacour's fascinating and mesmerising patina (here), which is taken to higher levels/grounds. And it seems that Mr. Lacour is just showing us the tip of the iceberg as what patina art is. I was "forced" to have this Chelsea boot brought to you so you can make a judgement. This boot is so spectacular, it earns and is worthy to be displayed at any respectable museum on the globe. Words can not describe this boot, I will have the picture speak for itself. Well done Master patina artist your honourable artisan Mr. Landry Lacour. Looking forward to your other hidden gems.

The bursting Sun or Forest fire or.....whatever you may have in mind on a Chelsea boot

I received the below picture later after publishing the blog directly from Master Patina Artist Mr. Lacour. Thank you so much Sire, I am grateful.

Photo sourced from Mr. Landry Lacour's photo album.

For the day - Pierre Corthay Shoes

The French boot & shoe bespoke shoemakers are one of a kind. For the day I have to mention Mr. Pierre Cortay French Bespoke boot & shoemaker. His renditions of shoes/boots are like products made for a Royal court. His patina and colouring of the shoe hide has no match, some are truly bold but very elegant, tasteful and stylish. They may not be a the preferred cup of tea for some English gents, but...alas they are beautiful, look and judge for yourself.

The "court shoemaker" Mr. Pierre Cortay 

A blue whole cut oxford, wow looking.

 Two tier orange derby, bold but interesting choice of colour

 Red two tier derby

 Three tier Derby in an amazing patina

 A boring Chelsea boot compared to the other shoes above

 A Chukka Boot in a beautiful burgundy brown patina

 A normal brown three tie wing cap toed derby

Pictures sourced from the internet (different sources)