Bespoke shoes - Creating a pipeline...

May 01, 2011,09:00 AM
 

One of the biggest challenges of bespeaking a garment or a pair of shoes is the time it takes for the completed product to arrive. It typically takes a shoemaker or a team of shoemakers between 50 to 60 hours to make a pair of hand welted shoes. However, fittings are required and this is best facilitated by easy access to the shoemaker, otherwise the process is slowed down to a snail's pace and dependent upon the shoemaker or your own travel schedules.

For better for or worst, I have reached the point in my bespoke shoe adventures where I have cultivated a pipeline, where one delivery can preoccupy me sufficiently between fittings and delivery. It has been six months or so since taking delivery of my first pair of bespoke shoes from Hidetaka Fukaya.



(Excuse the pants as they were new and a little too long. Rest assured that they have been fixed).



Hot on the heels (no pun intended) of the Hidetaka Fukaya was my order from Gaziano & Girling (or G&G for short) and after a 12 month plus wait, one measurement and two fittings (one in Tokyo and another in Hong Kong) they have finally arrived.



A technically challenging and very rare seamless and stitchless (well only one visible stitch at the throat, slightly hidden) buffalo wholecuts.



Tony Gaziano applying the finishing touches.

So now that this pair has arrived, what else is in the pipeline?



A full brogue from Hidetaka Fukaya, with a second fitting thrown in to further perfect my pattern.



My first experience with a shoemaker who makes a trial shoe and subsequently rips it a part to better understand fit. For those in the know, you will be quick to recognize that this is a widely used technique by the French.

Stay tune for more updates in the near or far future.

Gaz

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Comments: view entire thread

 

sharp!

 
 By: Cookies : May 1st, 2011-09:13
Very beautiful shoes. I don't know when my turn will come, but I'm eyeing a pair of Berluti Warhols for a long time, not bespoke but pret a porter

Still remember your last post ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : May 1st, 2011-10:55
about that topic and the outcome is gorgeous. Congrats! Especially the Gaziano & Girling looks great . What started in brown looks now black with a touch of petrol . Is that correct? So far I didnĀ“t order bespoke shoes, but have been close several times A... 

PM sent... :)

 
 By: MiniCooper : May 1st, 2011-12:37

beautiful....

 
 By: DRMW : May 1st, 2011-10:56
Beautifully crafted, congrats on your bespoke shoes, they look great! Ever consider exotic skins? -MW

Very nice.

 
 By: InHavenPro : May 1st, 2011-11:22

Superb!

 
 By: Davo : May 1st, 2011-17:23
Thanks for sharing, Gaz.

How lovely!

 
 By: dxboon : May 1st, 2011-18:21
I really enjoy your shoe posts, Gaz. It's wonderful to learn more about various crafts, and bespoke shoes is definitely an interesting one -- part engineering, part artistry, part costuming. Very cool! Enjoy your new shoes! Cheers, Daos

Handsome shoes, Gaz [nt]

 
 By: CaliforniaJed : May 1st, 2011-18:55
No message body

Very nice looking shoes [nt]

 
 By: ED209 : May 1st, 2011-20:40
No message body

Thanks Gaz..

 
 By: drsh : May 2nd, 2011-21:39
for a wonderful post and photos...always enjoy the SHOES!!! cheers! sh

Pure class

 
 By: Bill : May 4th, 2011-19:10
Wow Gaz You really have cultivated a special affection for the bespoke. I guess there is no going back now. Thanks for the insight. Always a pleasure to follow in your footsteps. Bill

Exquisite Shoes

 
 By: maroon : May 22nd, 2011-14:41
Gaz. Those shoes are simply amazing. I've not had shoes from Hidetaka but its clear from your pictures that he does an incredible job. On the one hand they're conservative but executed with great flair and impeccable craftmanship. Good stuff. Tony also do... 

Seeking Your Advice, Gaz

 
 By: mec : October 25th, 2011-09:35
I am a frequent visitor to the Patek Philippe forum but was trolling off topic and stumbled upon this thread. You appear to have had significant experience with bespoke shoes, so I was hoping you might be able to give me some learned advice. After having ...