I have never bothered to research the following, but it just occurred to me how curious I am about the person that invented all of the pattern pieces to a shoe. That being: the facing, the heel counter, the cap, the vamp and the quarters. (come to think about it, I may have read this in Lazslo Vass’ book, but I can’t be sure…..) The aesthetic of each piece can be highlighted or muted depending on how you design the pattern and this is where the fun of shoe design takes place and allows one to differentiate his patterns from all the rest. That being, I quite like the idea that Septieme Largeur had when they created this model whereby the shoe would essentially be a whole-cut pattern, but adding the facing to it with a touch of brogueing. They aren’t the only ones to have created this pattern though, but what sets them apart is the fact that they offer the patina service to allow you, the customer, to alter this design through a color combination that pleases you! And what I personally love about that, is being able to see what people come up with especially when I see something that I would have never thought went well together, but in fact, did.
On another note, my good friends at Septieme Largeur asked me to do them a favor and mention (for those of you whom might be store owners) that they will now be whole-selling their product, and will be presenting at this September’s MICAM event in Hall 4, Stand N40.
I’ve always found their shoes to be a great value, and I almost bought a totally nude, uncoloured pair of pennies (COOL with a capital COOL), until I saw the shipping. About 50 EUROS! Don’t understand why shipping from France is SO much more expensive than England, even though they’re neighbours!
Love all of these, and the adelaide style is definitely one of my favourites. Alas, they don’t do a version on their wider last and I’m not sure they’ll fit me!
The second last one with the more natural-looking patina is great, but the less obvious green and blue definitely take it!
Benjy – Where have you experienced cheaper shipping in England? Bigger companies may have special relationships with the postal services as they create so much business for them which allows them to make it cheaper, but I know that G&G also charges £50 to Singapore (Asia etc)…..shipping is a nightmare….I wish I owned FedEx…big money there!
Alex B – lovely indeed!
-Justin
I thought it was 40 Euros for Asia? Anyway, yeah, it’s true that some UK shoe shops do better: Herring, Shoehealer, Robinson’s are all £20 to Asia I think, plus £5 for each additional pair of shoes. Pediwear are £18 if I remember rightly. And bear in mind all of these are for a courier service (DHL, UPS etc),not regular mail.
Then again, to be fair, these companies are all doing most of their business online. Adrian Herring told me a while back that they do 75% of their business outside the UK. Therefore, they have the international volume to get good courier rates.
I don’t know how much of Septieme Largeur’s business is international, but I think they’ve not been shipping as much, and for as long, as some of these British retailers. The shipping charge is an irritation, I agree, but at least it’s offset by the absence of VAT 🙂
Alex B – I hate shipping costs…they are such a nuisance and I am definitely not looking forward to dealing with the problems they incur…..
-Justin