Following someone's journey in the shoe world, is always something that makes me happy. Especially when I know that I had a part in influencing that journey. I
Patrick Frei Strikes Again
What I love about Patrick Frei is that he does not do 'run of the mill' footwear. Even if the model is plain, he adds a design quirk that differentiates it
Next Level Sneakers – Masayuki Kaneko
I really think the hardest thing in shoemaking is combining sneaker elements with dress shoe design/style. And I tell you, these ones here by Japanese shoemaker
Elephant Boots by Alte Art – Next Level!
Well, there is a first for everything and this is the first elephant balmoral boot that I have ever seen. And man is it impressive! And it is no surprise from
Boot Progression by Hiro Yanagimachi
I have been a fan of Hiro Yanagimachi ever since they first came out on the scene of Instagram, way back when. And since then, it has been a pleasant stocking
Next Level Handstitching – Hiro Yanagimachi
What I always loved about Japanese Shoemaker Hiro Yanagimachi is their ability to maintain the most classic look while at the same time offering subtle details
Masayuki Kaneko – The Next Great Japanese Shoemaker
In the day and age of having information at your fingertips, it can almost become too much to absorb and sift through. Prior to Instagram, you really had to do
Blue Sharkskin Boots – Castez Ermili
I love to see the brain being creative and coming up with ideas never before executed. These blue sharkskin boots by Argentinian shoemaker Castez Ermili (based
Creative Loafer Design by Francis Waplinger
I have always loved the look of the Belgian style loafer design, but was never a huge fan of their traditional sole that was essentially built as a house
Altan’s Norwegian Wholecuts – A New Trend?
I have been seeing a lot of Norwegian stitching lately, on several different brands but no one has shown it more than Altan Bottier, of Paris. With their skills
The Sharpest Derby I Have Seen
If you have read my blog for more than a year you probably know that I am not a huge fan of derby shoes. Something about them just doesn't really appeal to me
Sole Creativity on the Rise!
A strange phenomenon has occurred and that is that people seem to be enjoying more and more the idea of a decorated shoe sole and pictures of them. When I add a
The Best Shoemaker in the World
Doesn't Exist... So, now you are thinking, 'wait, what?' Doesn't exist? What does that mean? Well, it means that this slogan can only apply to you and your
Wayman Bespoke – The New Semi Bespoke Service
There is a new bespoke maker in town, who is revolutionizing what it means to get 'bespoke' or better yet 'semi-bespoke' in a day and age where international
Industry Secrets Part 2: Production Times
All of those videos you watch about there being 300 steps and shoes staying on lasts for 2 weeks to 30 days are not accurate. It's like a fictional motion
Industry Secrets Part 1: ‘Handmade’ is a Lie
Pictures in post represent what actual handmade shoes look like. The thing about me is that I believe lying is the most dangerous weaponry there
Brand Name/History Shouldn’t Dictate Price
I have been posting a lot of the shoes from the new (relatively) brands coming out of China specifically Yim Shoemaker, Acme Shoemaker and the house line of
Coolest Shoe Trees Ever Made
Shoe trees are becoming almost as cool as shoes. They have come a long way in the last 20 years ago when all I saw was crappy spring-loaded cedar shoe trees
New Shoe Brand – Petru & Claymoor
Warning: Post is picture heavy There is a new brand on the block and their name is Petru & Claymoor, of Romania. They are a bespoke outfit, based out
Mind-Blowing Seamless Wholecuts – David Mckee
A seamless wholecut is like the holy grail of shoes for its difficulty in lasting and pattern making. But David Mckee of Dave's Boots and Shoes, in England,
Strap Boots – The Next Thing
Photo courtesy of ShoesinOslo I have been seeing a lot of shaft strap boots lately in the handmade shoemaker realm lately. At first, I didn't pay so much
Acme Shoemaker – Most Anticipated Brand of 2020
A lot of shoe greatness has been coming out of China and despite what you might feel about that country right now, setting aside personal biases, no one can
Brooklyn Bespoke Shoemaker – Francis Waplinger
Francis Waplinger recently moved his workshop from deep-end Long Island to Brooklyn. A very smart powermove in my opinion and something that should ultimately
The Brogue Loafer of all Brogued Loafers – Andante Shoemaker
I have never quite seen a loafer like this one before. It pushes ideas and crosses boundaries I feel most shoemakers are afraid to cross. And Andante Shoemaker,