Dear Readers,
A few months ago, I showed you a preview of things to come from Mr. Riccardo Bestetti’s Ready To Wear line. Well, today I have a bit more to show and tell you. Below you will see a series of photos. The first 8 will indicate the last shapes that are currently available (2 – one square and one pointy) as well as some of the models. The next 10+ will show you models that are available but these are all on bespoke lasts. So when you look at these, only think in terms of style, but not shape. It is just a way to show you what is available pattern-wise.
The shoes will are going to cost around 600 Euros and will all currently be in Blake construction. They currently sell at a shop in Korea and then will be selling at another shop in Korea as well as a shop called Trading Post in Japan, in October. However, as many of you cannot get to these places, you can also order directly from Mr. Bestetti himself of which will take one month to receive.([email protected])
I showed the very top picture (which are all bespoke) to give you an example of the coloring that Mr. Bestetti is capable of, which he will be offering on his RTW shoes as an MTO process (with a surcharge of course). So, for example, if you want his adelaide brogue (tan shoe above near top) but want it in blue, this can be done by directly ordering it through him and indicating your requests.
He told me that there will be a new last made for his RTW line that will be available in September (most likely in time for release with his new shops in Japan and Korea). He promised me that I would love it, so if you are like me, you might like it too! He also told me that he is obviously in talks with many other stores around the world, but none that have given the contractual okay to carry his shoes, as of yet. The more that things progress, the more that I will keep you in the loop.
Lovely work, but the shape of some of these just says “pain”!
I can see Bestetti’s influence on your own lines very clearly now too. That’s not a criticism by the way – everyone has influences. And if Bestetti, John Lobb, George Cleverley and Gaziano&Girling are the shoes influencing you (as far as I can see), then they’re going to be pretty good shoes!
Alex B – That’s funny that you say that, because I don’t think that any of my shoes look like Bestetti’s. Don’t get me wrong, I love his stuff, but do so because he is so unique. For me, I believe that a lot of my influence came like so:
-G&G: making beautifully classic shoes but with a very slight twist – also, last shapes
-Paul Smith: The use of colors
-Corthay: The details, like piping as well as designs that are quite different from the rest
-Stefano Bemer: The foundation of my love for high quality shoes all started in his shop, plus I love his bespoke designs….
But yes, I try to take influence from all and mesh into one, with a dash of my own idea to create what I want. I think that when everyone see’s my finished line, they will be quite surprised….I left a lot to wonder about with those prototypes that I show….
-Justin
What is the name for the shape of this toe? I’ve been seeing a lot of this lately.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wgEIjBEnyIM/UA6w6XJk1HI/AAAAAAAAFes/l3VzVqh8pJI/s640/foto+26.JPG
Harmon – Where have you seen seeing this? This, from what I understand, is very particular to Bestetti…. there is no name for it that I am aware of…this is just a bespoke design…you don’t find many RTW shoes with that toe shape…
-Justin
Harmon:
Maybe Bestetti’s shape is distinctive as Justin said, but I think I know what you mean: a lot of Italian makers and their imitators have something similar to what I think you are asking about.
You mean when it looks like the
tip of the toe has been sliced off at an acute angle? It’s called a “chiseled toe” or “chisel toe”.