As I have said before, I always enjoy seeing new ways of executing existing ideas and usually the shoes that are able to be modified and customized the most, are those that are bespoke. This George Cleverley model, made out of the famed Russian Reindeer leather from 1786 that never seems to run out, exemplifies doing something different to what those have done before. Usually you find fringes with the gimped effect (those jagged teeth cut outs), but this one has simply a straight cut across the bottom, almost appearing to be skirt-like as opposed to a proper fringe. Also the fringe is concealing the laces where as it usually sticks out the top of the vamp’s opening from the facing thus extending to the toe box. I quite like how it just sits on top on the laces and presume that should one not like it, that it could be removed. Either way, it’s uniquely different and I find it quite appealing. Now just imagine it in a burgundy!
5 thoughts on “A Fringe done Differently by George Cleverley”
Awesome shoes for lottery winners,or at least for me if I ever win.
Justin, the reason it never runs out, is because its probably one of the most laughable scams in luxury menswear .. Russian Calf they would have you believe is more valuable than any crocodile, lizard or exotic skin … because of its rarity. Has a good yarn behind it with the mystique of lying underwater in a ship wreck … the salvage team thought they were going to hit some valuable treasure and ended up with sheets and sheets of this stuff! then had to concoct a good story around it and with the help of the good folks at cleverly .. have created this romantic narrative around it. A (wealthy) fool and his money are easily parted. Btw this stuff supposedly dries and cracks very easily, which is unsurprising as its been underwater (sea water as well) for so long.
You sir, have taken the words out of my mouth. This Russian deer leather is a joke.
i figured as much…thanks for sharing!
It is a true pleasure to steal moments during a hectic day to appreciate these remarkable works of craftsmanship.