The Portuguese brand Carlos Santos and their Goodyear welted shoes are considered quite affordable already at RRP, now you can get them at 25% off when the online store The Noble Shoe runs a sale on all their stock of the brand.
The finalists in the two prestigious world championships contests, with finals taking place at the London Super Trunk Show on May 9, have been appointed. We’ll have two Japanese and a French battle it out in the shine final, and two Frenchmen and a Finn to fight for glory for the patina title. See their submissions here.
Hear the Tokyo based shoemaker Seiji McCarthy answer questions from listeners and readers of Shoegazing. For example why there’s not more American bespoke shoemakers making classic American style shoes, how his workshop is set up, if lastmaking skill is affected by more makers offering handmade MTO shoes, and much more.
One of the most anticipated events in the world of quality footwear returns to London this spring. On Saturday May 9, the London Super Trunk Show will be held for the eighth time, bringing together leading men’s shoe and menswear brands from around the world. Visitors can expect exhibitions from 13 companies, a free shoe shining service, several shorter stage sessions on shoes and shoe care, the finals of the world championships of shoe shining, shoe patina and shoemaking, and more. Here’s all info about the event.
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Boot Black is the premium shoe care brand of Japan’s largest shoe care manufacturer Columbus. A family owned company that dates back over 100 years, which in accordance to Japanese tradition always try do that little bit extra for the most demanding customers.
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Last year I wrote about the news that the James Fayed, owner of the British shirt company Turnbull & Asser, bought a majority stake in the Northampton shoe manufacturer Tricker’s. Now merges between the two companies are announced, as Turnbull’s Creative Director Roberto Menichetti will take the same role at Tricker’s, and their footwear will be integrated into Turnbull & Asser’s retail network.
I write a lot about all the great general properties that leather has, and why this makes it the ideal material for footwear. Then of course there’s loads of special characteristics for various types of leathers, where one such is the gorgeous sheen you have on smooth calf leather with it’s dense pores and then some wax enhancing it.
In my home country Sweden we haven’t had a proper shoemaking industry for many decades. But during the first half of the 1900’s it prospered, with one of the largest manufacturers being Oscaria. When I found a pair of Oscaria boots made in the 1940’s, never worn, in a vintage shoe store in Tokyo that fit me perfectly, I of course had to buy them. Here’s the story about the factory and the boots in question, with loads of photos.
One of the most underrated products in Saphir Medaille d’Or’s extensive range is, in my opinion, their Nappa cream. It’s a product without solvents that only contains nourishing ingredients like jojoba oil and wheat protein, but no waxes, so it leaves the pores of the leather fully open. Ideal for many situations, for example when you want a fully natural patina to develop, for sensitive leathers, and for the often neglected but very important care of the leather lining.
Last weekend the first Singapore super trunk took place, and what a day it was! Lots of visitors, great atmosphere, exciting stage happenings including the Asian Championships of Shoe Shining, and more. Here’s a summary from the day with lots of photos.
