Shoe terminology illustrated

For a time I took it for granted that all of shoe blog readers we familiar with the terminology describing the shoe anatomy, then I realised that I was mistaken. Fortunate enough I did find a visual illustration naming the parts of a shoe. WIth the below depicted pictures we can now close the discrepancy.

Shoe anatomy illustrated (Full Brogue Oxford)

More shoe anatomy (Derby shoe)

More anatomy (Norwegian split toe)

Photos sourced from Meermin Tumblr

Visiting shoemakers in Budapest - Vass Shoes - part three

Now the highlight of my Budapest visit was getting to touch and feel the Vass shoe offerings directly from the source itself. Mr. Vass Laszlo is a legend and well known shoe artisan from Budapest Hungary, who did put Hungary on the International map when it comes to classic, timeless, elegant men's shoes made by hand, not in Paris, Milan or London but Budapest. 

On the day of my arrival in Budapest, I had viewed the map incorrectly and was just about to cross the bridge to the Buda side when I realised my blunder, it was during this blunder that I came across the Vass shoe shop in the city centre. Long story short, on my first visit I was met by Mr. Rezso, a very nice & charming and elegantly dressed younger man (in his thirties, I would guess), wearing Vass shoes, need not say. We had a little chat on shoes, but had to be on my way to find my place of residence. My second visit occurred in the early morning hours, meaning at opening hours at 10:00 and I was met by two ladies, Madame Bernadett(e) (younger) and Madame Valerie (older), both very charming and helpful, they allowed me to film/take photos and discussed shoes (Vass shoes) mainly. 

I was shown the very famous lasts (The K-last, U-Last, Peter-Last etc) and the new innovated lasts. I have to admit, I was thrilled and excited to see all these well made shoes in person, now I understand some of those gents who may have only Vass made shoes in their wardrobe. One thing I noted though, was that Vass single sole is thicker than an English single sole, this was not an optical delusion, I compared to my GJ Cleverley's I was wearing. 
Furthermore the Vass shop was offering computer bags in dark brown suede and in tan colour, they simply looked astonishing. I am thinking of getting a bag from them, can not recall the actual price but about 500 Euros, a bargain in my opinion. 

Anyway, I ended up ordering a Balmoral boot in their new French Oxford Boot design (A proto type at then), no cap toe, in the new hide (museum calf called Radica Cognac, I think) which has a heavy antiqued patina in burgundish colour and suede with a brownish touch, the last a Vass U-last.
So, I have five/six weeks to wait.  I am really looking forward to the boot. Will post a blog about this boot very soon.

I will strongly recommend giving Vass a visit when visiting Budapest, the establishment was for me worth the visit. I should have done the visit years ago, but oh... better late than never.  So we cut the talk and let the pictures speak for themselves.

The visitor is greeted by these exquisite window display from the outside of the shop and the Vass Shoes Logo.

Amongst the shoes a brown suede bag, well done and executed.

Cordovan collection at Mr. Vass Laszlo's shop in Budapest

Exotic renditions by Vass

Boot renditions by Vass

A double black calf monk

Ostrich hide three tier Derby

A line up of the usual Vass suspects 

More line up.....

 Small details of the line up

Two toned - exotic and calf balmoral Derby with a stitched cap toe

An exotic single and a double monk from Vass 

Suede loafers as renditioned by Vass shoes (in blue and dark brown suede)

All photos sourced from me (The Shoe Aristo Cat)

Visiting shoemakers in Budapest - Rozsnyai Shoes - part one

My dear blog readers profound apologies for being quite for some time, I just happened to be in Hungary (Budapest) and had to pay the famous Hungarian shoemakers a visit. I was fortunate enough to go into Mr. Vass Laszlo's establishment, he has two stores on the same street not far from each other and right in the heart of the city of Budapest. 

Not far from Mr. Vass there are other two Hungarian shoemakers, Buday Shoes and Rozsnyai. Unfortunately never had a chance to go into Rozsnyai, but did take some pictures through the display window.

I have to apologise for the almost crappy photos taken with an Iphone, but you all get the idea as what is offered by the Hungarian shoemakers in this case the Rozsnyai establishment. Need not say that the first week of my stay was very hot, almost unbearable, but the flooding had retracted. So that was good. 

For the day I will post a few shoes offered by Mr. Rozsnyai.

I almost passed the shop, when I saw the below pastel coloured whole cut Adelaide with punched holes and no brogues in green and blue on a chisel square toe last, similar to the Crockett and Jones 348 Last. 

A double strapped monk with a wing tip cap toe. Very elegantly done

 A green and black Oxford (the green hide looks like lizard, but could be mistaken) also on a chisel square toe last

 A Derby in brown Ostrich hide

 My favourite from Rozsnyai was the below strapped loafer in exotic hide. 

All photos sourced from me  "The Shoe Aristo Cat"

Bestetti hand coloured Derby

Master Riccardo Bestetti does it again, in the below pictures we see the transformation of  raw leather shoe to a very beautiful piece of art, hand painted shoe. Here again, it is probably the collaboration of a patina designer and the shoemaker artisan putting movements and energy into the leather, handled as canvass. No words needed, let the pictures say it all. Very well done Master Bestetti.  

Master Bestetti hand painted Derby.

The Bestetti hand coloured Derby transformed from raw colourless to a beautiful swan. Amazing process to follow.

Photos sourced from Master Bestetti

Dandy Shoe Care revival of an exotic Derby

If I had an old loved pair of shoes which needed revival and a second life, no doubt I will be in contact with Russian/Italian Grand Duke of Patina Design, patina artist, patina Master, Alexander Nurulaeff "aka" Dandy Shoe Care. 
I have been learning the more sophisticated and time consuming art of polishing shoes and I am so far from the real thing, then you have "Dandy Shoe Care" who not only polishes the shoe to heavenly dimensions, but adds an extra new life and spirit to the shoe. My greatest respect for Dandy Shoe Care. No more talk filling the void with empty words. View and judge the revival of the exotic Derby as renditioned by "Dandy Shoe Care". WoW!!!  

Revival of an exotic hide Derby by "Dandy Shoe Care"

Photos sourced from Dandy Shoe Care

Saion - creations for the day

Today I have picked up a few creations from Saion, a Japanese bespoke shoemaker, who tends to take the classics and give them a dash and spicy splash of a modern twist and get a great big bang. Take a note on the first shoe, a brogue, adelaide, but then the colour. Wow! Move on and look at the third pair, the Derby, simply stunning and lastly the quarter brogue in reddish. Master Saion does perform wonders. Okay, no more talking, lets look and the more we look we will be able to see. Enjoy.

Blue Adelaide Oxford. Very interesting design, colouring and pattern. The Heel!

Black stitched Balmoral oxford with stitched cap toe. Very classic.

Two tier Derby, very sleek, elegantly done. Look at the proportions of the shoe. The heel is a killer. A very different approach to renditioning a Derby. A beauty. Piece of art.

This Derby reminds me of the works of Master Tuzcek and Master Cleverley. I reckon that Baron De Rede will not mind bespeaking a pair from Master Saion.

 A quarter brogue Oxford in reddish toned colour. Hmmm.....magnificent

Photos sourced from Saion