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“I
bless you every morning I put on my shoes.”
I started making leather shoes in 1987, I had been making
Rope soled shoes for years, worn indoors they last years but outdoors
just weeks. As they take days to make it was totally impractical for outdoor
wear.
But they did have redeeming features. I just loved the way my feet imbedded into the 15mm thick rope soles. Up to then my project was a vegetarian one, but when I inherited some money in tragic circumstances I decided to start using leather for the Uppers to make a repairable Rope Soled Shoe and practical shoes for every day outdoor wear.
I set out to make the Perfect Shoe.
I commissioned a pair of Lasts from Lobbs designed to the shape of my own feet but with the extra width in the Toe Box, so that my toes could spread out for maximum balance on my toes/Demi-points.
Having designed the Perfect Shape I sought the Perfect Design
and the Perfect Materials.
The basic problem of designing a shoe is how to keep the leather sole onto the sole of the foot without it digging in anywhere causing blisters, hard skin, corns or pressure points. The lace up design is The Perfect Design because there is a minimum of 18 square inches holding the foot firmly onto the sole and keeping the heel firmly back into the heel of the shoe.
When it came to the materials they had to be the very best, even if they cost an absolute fortune. I chose a special leather for the soles that reflected the soft, footprint imbedding qualities of my Rope Soled Slippers and the very best leather for the Uppers and the lining. Then I over engineered the stitching to make a robust shoe, then protected the leather soles from wear with the thinnest, flexible, hardest wearing material I could find.
I am happy.
I have designed the Perfect Shoe which I now make in two width fittings.
I have worn them for 20 years.
I have made them for 20 years for other lucky people.
There is only one other shoe that are better than my Shoes and they are my Shandals®.
I started making leather shoes in 1987, I had been making
Rope soled shoes for years, worn indoors they last years but outdoors
just weeks. As they take days to make it was totally impractical for outdoor
wear.But they did have redeeming features. I just loved the way my feet imbedded into the 15mm thick rope soles. Up to then my project was a vegetarian one, but when I inherited some money in tragic circumstances I decided to start using leather for the Uppers to make a repairable Rope Soled Shoe and practical shoes for every day outdoor wear.
I set out to make the Perfect Shoe.
I commissioned a pair of Lasts from Lobbs designed to the shape of my own feet but with the extra width in the Toe Box, so that my toes could spread out for maximum balance on my toes/Demi-points.
Having designed the Perfect Shape I sought the Perfect Design
and the Perfect Materials.
The basic problem of designing a shoe is how to keep the leather sole onto the sole of the foot without it digging in anywhere causing blisters, hard skin, corns or pressure points. The lace up design is The Perfect Design because there is a minimum of 18 square inches holding the foot firmly onto the sole and keeping the heel firmly back into the heel of the shoe.
When it came to the materials they had to be the very best, even if they cost an absolute fortune. I chose a special leather for the soles that reflected the soft, footprint imbedding qualities of my Rope Soled Slippers and the very best leather for the Uppers and the lining. Then I over engineered the stitching to make a robust shoe, then protected the leather soles from wear with the thinnest, flexible, hardest wearing material I could find.
I am happy.
I have designed the Perfect Shoe which I now make in two width fittings.
I have worn them for 20 years.
I have made them for 20 years for other lucky people.
There is only one other shoe that are better than my Shoes and they are my Shandals®.