Imai Hiroki - The Ultimate Summer sandal

Mostly for the Summer men are in loafers, boaters, Belgian shoes, espadrilles (for the beach) very seldom do we see a sandal shoe. For the day I have sampled a very unique sandal shoe from Master Imai Hiroki . The sandal is in to tones, open to let ventilation  pass through when it gets very hot - air condition we could say. 
The design is very unique, so well done and executed, this shoe it's worth any shoe wardrobe. Enjoy it.

Master Imai Hiroki sandal for those very hot days

Photo sourced from Master Imai Hiroki's Facebook Profile

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 

Roberto Ugolini - Ghillie renditions

I'm not a fan of Ghillie type of shoes but have to admit that a perfect rendition of a Ghillie is something in it's own league. Will not go into details why I personally loathe Ghillies, but at the end of the day, these shoes are best worn with Highlander kilts and they look best that way. For the day I have sampled a ghillie shoe and boot as renditioned by Master Roberto Ugolini of (Firenze) Italy. The rendition of the shoe and the boot are extremely well done, in two tone colours, the shoe in a winged cap toe, medallion, chisel square toe and lovely shades of brown calf hide and mustard like suede and no heel counters. Just sublime. The Ghillie boot in a Galosh styled (winged), round toe last in a tan colour and white (cream) which looks like canvass, but maybe suede too.
Note the picture of the Ghillie shoe photographed with a nice Prince Of Wales (POW) checked jacket, probably from an Italian mill, though the cloth maybe vintage. Lovely

Ghillie laced two toned winged brogue in calf hide and suede, chisel square toe and cap toe medallion. Love the shades of brown and nice shine on this shoe. If, I were to have a Ghillie, then this one will be my choice.

Ghillie laced two toned boot, rounded toe last, punched cap toe.

Photos sourced from The Shoe Realist

Dimitri Gomez - Parisian bespoke boot and shoemaker

Master Dimitri Gomez Parisian (France) bespoke boot and shoemaker and master last maker for Crockett and Jones (Northampton - UK), is a very talented shoe artisan. He produces very intriguing classical men's shoes. He offers full bespoke and MTO for his clients. 
For the day I have sampled two pairs of ankle boots, both two toned, a Chukka and a Monk boot. Enjoy.

 Master Dimitri Gomez inspecting the tree lasts

The two toned Chukka boot

 Two toned strapped Monk boot

Photos sourced from Dimitri Gomez

Winter boots - keeping dry and looking good (RTW)

Winter is here, the first snow fall was the first of December down here, South part of Sweden, Nordics. With Winter here comes the snow and wet weather and a gent needs some boots that can keep him warm, well dressed and looking good. For the day I sampled two of my favourite boots for kicking the wits out of the Winter period, the first sample a cordovan ankle boot from Alden (USA). I am not a fan of "codo", but "codo" is appropriate for the Nordics as the hide will keep you dry even in heavy snow and wetness as we tend to have "down" here in the Nordic.

The second boot a Grenson(UK) RTW boot, two toned and brogued. I would say both boots are country boots or when just taking a walk in the woods or for casual dressing and giving the snow a bit of a fight back. Enjoy both boots with commando soles. Enjoy & welcome to the Christmas season.

Alden Norwegian Split Toe Cordovan ankle boot from Leather Soul Hawaii

 Alden NST Boot from Alden Of Camel with commando sole

Grenson Acklam boot (Grenson and Barbour collaboration)

Commando sole of the Grenson Acklam brogued boot

Photos sourced from Alden Of Camel, Leather Soul Hawaii and Grenson

Vass the shoe master from Budapest

For the weekend I have compiled a sample of different boots from the well reputed bespoke shoemaker from Budapest (Hungary), Mr. Vass Laszlo. 
If I am not mistaken the company was founded in 1978 by Vass Laszlo Sr. offering ladies bespoke shoes and at a later time (1980's) ventured into men's shoes.

The first shoe artisan from behind the "Iron Curtain" to make a big name and success in the Western hemisphere after the tearing down of the "Wall".  Master Vass is loyal to the Astro-Hungarian shoemaking traditions and art and that can be seen in all of his offered products, be it ready to wear, made to order or bespoke services.

Mr. Vass Laszlo with a pair of his creation

Mr. Vass posing with some of his creations

 

"Hand made shoes for men" a book by Mr. Vass Laszlo.

Photos sourced from eBay and Haszonkulcs

Nettleton's from the USA - lamenting an era lost

As a shoe lover, I have to go backwards in time to find out what the old shoe masters or companies created to get a clue of what was made and what I desire. Now from time to time under my quest, I do happen to come across long forgotten companies, gems, shoe masters who once roamed and conquered the art of shoe making. In my quest I came across "The Nettleton Shoe Company", but then I realised that I had seen some of their creations and products earlier in my life as a kid. My favourite shoe from this company (not knowing) was the Norwegian split toe. Currently I own three pairs from Alden (one black cordovan, one shell 8 cordovan and a suede (my favourite)). As a kid I thought that Nettleton was called "need a ton", as the owner of these wonderful shoes nicknamed them "need a ton" and it was a pair of split Norwegian in two tones. So it's easy to understand my excitement  when I found this beauties and the real company name on the net. 

An ad from Nettleton from about 1909 - two toned balmoral boot. 

Below text taken from the Internet (Japanese blog here):

Nettleton shoe company (USA) 

A.E. Nettleton Company, founded here in 1879, considered its product to be the Rolls Royce of footwear. The company designed and introduced the Loafer in 1937. Since then this shoe has become classic American footwear.Nettleton has produced footwear for over a 100 years. The Wright brothers, Theodore Roosevelt, and Charles Lindbergh are few of the famous people who wore Nettleton ShoesNETTLETON COMPANY SLOGAN..."AMERICAS SLOWEST MADE SHOE"....THE COMPANY HAD/HAS A SELLAR REPUTATION. IT PROVIDED FINE MEN'S STORES IN THE US WITH HANDMADE SHOESTHE COMPANY STARTED IN 1879-1984....SYRACUSE, NEW YORK...IN 1990 THEY RESUMED BUSINESS WHEN THE NAME WAS BOUGHT BY A DIFFERENT COMPANY!!U.S. Shoe AddsPublished: December 29, 1984The United States Shoe Corporation said it had agreed to acquire the brand name Nettleton for men's footware and certain other assets of the A.E. Nettleton Company. Terms were not disclosed. It said the Nettleton brand footwear would be manufactured by its men's division in Beloit, Wis.

A simple Norwegian split toe in whiskey colour. 

One Eye let Tan Norwegian split toe in tan colour

Norwegian split toe in two tones Crocodile and Suede, this was the combination I saw as a kid and was  very up taken by this shoe. I personally think, it is the best rendition of of a Norwegian derby. Amazing rendition.

Nettleton did not only offer RTW but also bespoke offerings, below it is a rendition of a bespoke strapped loafer made of sea turtle from about 1960's. Very astonishing shoes. 

View each picture, look at the details and admire. Some is selling this pair on the internet and as you can see, they are pristine.

Pictures sourced from the Internet