Meermin suede offerings for Summer 2013

Whilst the Summer is showing it's best colours, a way to compliment the sunny bright days will be to wear any of these lovely suede offerings from Meermin of Spain. 

See earlier about Meermin here and here.

For the day, I sampled a few of their beautiful suede offerings depicted below. All classical, elegant and timeless pieces of shoes worth to own and have. Enjoy.

Suede double monk with stitched cap toe

 A whole cut Oxford in navy blue suede

 Punched cap toe in light brown suede

 Dark brown suede three tier Derby

Photos sourced from Meermin's Facebook profile

The Japanese shoemakers (Part Four) Yukiko Basset Okawa

A follow up on the Japanese bespoke shoemakers, for today I have chosen Y. B. Okawa, who studied shoemaking in England and worked at Lobb, before returning to native Japan to open a bespoke shoe workshop named (Bench Made). The shoes are typical English inspired.


The saddle shoe below is quite interesting, as I have never seen a saddle shoe with a belt. 


Please enjoy the pieces of art below as renditioned by Bench Made of Japan.

Two toned saddle shoe

 Whole cut

Norwegian derby

 Plain Galosh oxford

Half brogue

Straight stitched cap toe oxford

Punched cap toe oxford

Side gusset 

Photos sourced from: Bench Made Japan

The Ultimate Bespoke Shoemaker Nikolaus Tuczek

The Rolls Royce, the Leornado Da Vinci of shoemaking, Nikolaus Tuczek Ltd were boot and shoe makers who traded from 1853-1970. The company was taken over by John Lobb in 1970.

Quote From Classic shoes for men : "The late, lamented firm of Tuczek of #17 Clifford Street, W1, bespoke society shoemaker, is a legend in the trade among historians and collectors. The importance of this master is only confirmed by the fact that George Cleverley, considered by some to be the finest shoemaker of the late 20th century, began his career with Nikolaus Tuczek in 1920 and remained with the firm 38 years before opening his own workshop. Tuczek’s designs are exceptionally sleek and most often feature his characteristic chiseled toe and elastic side gussets. It can be conjectured that this was Tuczek’s legacy as there is little to compare with the dramatic lasting, the intricate detailing, and the painstaking construction of the Tuczek shoe. But finally it is the overall effect of the design, the harmony of decoration and sculptural form that distinguishes this shoemaker. There is very little to be found from the last half century that possesses the stylistic boldness or charm of this present pair."

I consider Mr. Nikolaus Tuzcek, The "Leonardo Da Vinci" of Bespoke shoemaking, the Grandmaster of all masters, the sculptor above all, a Man that has inspired so many bespoke shoemakers and keeps doing so with his creations which are over a half century or more old in design and style. Mr. Tuczek's creations, are one of a kind and so was the man.

The art works I have seen from Mr.Tuzcek's hand, are quite exceptional, unique, artistic by design, harmonious, innovative and ground breaking. 

The man, the name has become a legend within bespoke shoemaking. In honour of Mr. Nikolaus Tuzcek.

The famous Tuzcek chisel toe

The insole of a Lady's shoe

 The Lady shoe itself

 Brogue slip-ons

 The insole labels from different periods in London 

 The Full Brogue oxford

 Wholecut Adelaide in blue suede

 A monk in suede

A Semi brogue

 A spectator (1)

 Full brogue side gusset with false laces in Lizard

Spectator (2)

Crocodile side gusset

Full brogue in  brown

Lizard Full brogue side gusset slip-on

 Two tier brown Derby

Photos sourced from The Centipede and Engrandepompe