The London Shoemaker-Paul Davies at Journeymen Saddlers

Brown Pebble Grain Country Boot

2010-12-02T07:01:00.002-05:00

Just the thing for snowy days or that walk in the country, made in brown pebble grain calf with a commando rubber stormwelted sole. It will give you grip when you need it and the upper is lined in leather for added protection and strength. A classic style for any outdoor wear from a plaid suit to jeans or cords. The ideal boot for tramping through the countryside in the dry, wet or snow. The sole is a commando rubber sole with a cleated design that will give you that added grip when you need it and help you in almost any terrain. The upper is a brown pebble grain designed to protect in open fields, gorse or any other place you happen to be. Probably the perfect boot for anywhere you wish or wish not to be!

Order today from The London Shoemaker at enquiries@thelondonshoemaker.co.uk or by calling 020 8144 5858

English Sheepskin Slippers

2010-11-30T14:38:00.003-05:00

With those cold winter nights here and the snow falling, what better than a pair of English Sheepskin slippers. Available in navy or wine and full sizes 6-13 (UK) With a sheepskin lining and suede upper and soft suede sole these are sure to keep you warm on the coldest of days. Traditionally made and styled to a classic english slipper they are a timeless design that always look exquisite. The rich navy or wine colours are tasteful and look very good around the home. The soft suede sole is very comfortable and from the first time you put them on you will wonder why you didn't order these before. £105.00 ($220.00) plus shipping. To Order please call (UK) 0208 144 5858 or email enquiries@thelondonshoemaker.co.uk

Valentine's Day 2011

2010-11-30T14:28:00.002-05:00

It's never too early to think ahead about your loved one. These black velvet houseshoes for Ladies and Gentlemen are available to order. To guarantee your order for Valentines Day 2011 or for any other special occassion please allow 8-10 weeks for delivery. They are available in all sizes and have a red quilted lining to match the embroidered hearts. These are a fabulous design and priced at £265.00 (525.00) plus shipping. To order please telephone UK 0208 144 5858 .

Shoe Repairs in Virginia

2010-05-18T19:12:00.003-04:00

The London Shoemaker-Paul Davies is pleased to announce that your shoes can now be repaired through our workshop at Journeymen Saddlers in Virginia. Whatever your needs, new soles, heels, stitching or cleaning for Ladies and Gentlemen's shoes or boots can all be catered for.

All repairs can be dropped off at Journeymen Saddlers, 2 West Federal Street, Middleburg, VA 20117.

Telephone: Journeymen 540-687-5888

Correspondent Shoes

2009-06-18T19:47:00.002-04:00

Black & White Correspondent Shoes.......

These were recently made for a client, they have a traditional wing tip and a swan neck facing extending to the back of the shoe, also a shaped back counter. A very classic shoe that will stand out in a crowd, with the few little changes to a regular correspondent one can tell immediately it is a hand made shoe, detailing you just normally wouldn't find.

Dress Shoes

2009-04-07T04:36:00.011-04:00

Dress Shoes

Dress shoes are generally regarded as a much more formal shoe, something to be worn in the evening or to a special function where perhaps a patent pump is not the order of the moment. A dress shoe is exactly what it says it is, a shoe to be worn on a 'dressy' ocassion. A wedding, a dinner, with a dark suit, a funeral, these are all regarded as dressy ocassions when a more formal shoe is required. How formal do we have to be? This is really down to how accurately dressed you would like to be, generally the more formal you require has less decoration, so a plain or 'naval' Oxford (one with no decoration whatsoever) may fit the bill, personally I prefer something with a toe cap, with one or two rows of stitching across the cap this in my opinion is the best shoe to wear. An Oxford like this can be worn for almost anything, from meetings, to weddings, from formal dinners to the dance afterwards, a well polished Oxford with a stitched cap will almost certainly stand out. It is so very traditional, so very english.

Shown here are the Oxford with stitched cap, the Oxford with no cap, the same again but with a design on the toe and a classic Oxford with the punching across the cap.

This last shoe is again very dressy, can be worn for almost any ocassion and in brown or suede can make an excellent alternative for a weekend shoe. Don't forget when making these as a bespoke shoe, your ideas make the shoe, it is your thoughts and imagination that create the shoe that you want.

Semi Brogues

2009-04-07T04:11:00.005-04:00

Semi Brogues come in a wide range of styles, 'not just a half brogue'. There are a lot of choices to be made when deciding whether to have an adelaide facing, what punching to the toe cap, the choice of colour, leather, suede or buckskin, a combination of leather and suede or even a brown and white correspondant shoe, the choices really are endless.

Here you will see a range of semi brogues, all are different but have their own individual look to them, just like people. We are all individuals and like to be able to make choices that make the shoes and clothing we wear individual to us, adding detail here, reducing detail there, that is what enables us to do what we can when making a bespoke shoe.

The first shoe is a semi brogue with a star design on the toe, at the back of the shoe was a crescent moon.

The second semi brogue is in a dark burgundy calf skin with a slightly different toe design.

The third is a semi brogue in suede, great for weekends, semi formal and casual wear. This style is a good all round shoe that can be worn with almost anything from a suit to jeans or cords.

The fourth is what is know as an adelaide semi brogue, take a look at where the laces are, the punching around does not extend to the side of the shoe, it is enclosed and curves back up to the top of the shoe, in my opinion a little more formal looking and a great looking shoe.

Ready to Wear Shoes

2009-04-05T04:25:00.008-04:00

Ready to Wear Shoes & Boots

When it comes to choosing a ready to wear shoe or boot there is a lot to consider, style, colours, fit, shape and of course price. Trying to find something that fits all of these categories can sometimes feel like you are on an endless quest for something that may take years of searching or that you may never find! When it came for me to introduce a ready to wear range, there are certain options, do I introduce a range made up from my designs, do I use a range already designed and put my name in or go with a range that is already there that offers excellent quality, style, fit & at a price that suits most people? The answer is I am working with Trickers and currently able to offer their complete in stock and their m.t.o. range. Their designs for the city are timeless and their country shoes and boots are by far strong enough and well suited to anything you may want to put them through. With single leather soles for the city and double leather soles for the country there are so many different styles, leather and colour options available. With prices starting at around $450.00 (£255.00) including shipping there is definitely a shoe or boot for you. To order or request style information please email enquiries@thelondonshoemaker.co.uk or call (001) 540-222-6267.

Shoe Styles-Adelaide Shoe with Imitation Back Counter

2009-04-03T03:12:00.008-04:00

Whatever shoe you decide to choose, you have generally thought about what you would like to use that particular style of shoe for. Whether it be a Black Calf Oxford with a stitched cap for a wedding or a Brown Grain Calf Full Brogue for the country or weekends, you have thought about what you want to wear to compliment the clothing you will be wearing with them.

An Adelaide Oxford in Dark Burgundy Calf opposite can be worn with many colours from navy, brown, grey or tweeds and from casual to semi formal. It is a very good style of shoe that can be used for many occassions. This particular style has been made with an imitation back counter of 2 & 1 punching, so that the shoe is virtually one piece except for the toe cap. It is a very smart shoe and carries its own style and is just that little bit different from a regular adelaide style.

The Prices of Bespoke/Custom shoes/suits $$$$!!!!!!

2008-10-07T09:51:00.003-04:00

I am in New York City at the moment with Tailor Steven Hitchcock, we went for a walk on the Monday along Madison Avenue, lots of very nice stores with plenty of beautiful things in them. The few we did go in to, to take a look around, we found the prices of 'ready to wear' shoes and suits are the same if not MORE than it costs to have something made for you by hand. I saw alligator shoes at nearly $11000.00 (Eleven Thousand!!!!! - ready to wear!!!). You could come in and see us while we are in New York and order a pair of bespoke alligator shoes and a suit for the same price!!!!! You could choose the colours, choose the fabric, enjoy choosing the style, the cut, the service............... You would experience something that you DO NOT get ready to wear!

Purple Buck Skin!

2008-10-06T15:17:00.003-04:00

Here is a recent pair i have made in Purple Buck Skin. It is an interesting design with it being a whole cut elastic sided shoe with an arrow design in punching. This style of shoe is avery good fitting shoe as the elastic gives it very good support. The shoe trees fitted to all of my shoes are all individually made for each and every pair and are modelled fom the last the shoe is made on. Note: the interesting design across the toe cap.

Links

2008-10-06T14:29:00.002-04:00

I have the following links of people that i work with that will look after your needs in the custom/bespoke world.

London/New York - Steven Hitchcock Tailor www.thesavilerowtailor.com

Washington DC - Field English Custom Tailors - 1742 Wisconsin Avenue NW

Scottsdale AZ - Saverio Custom Clothiers www.saveriocustomclothiers.com

Middleburg VA - Highcliffe Clothiers www.highcliffeclothiers.com

CTDA Show in Washington DC

2008-10-06T13:39:00.002-04:00

I was recently asked to talk about bespoke handmade to measure shoes at The Custom Tailors & Designers Association. It was held at the newly opened Gaylord National Hotel in MD and i found it very interesting. Aswell as talking about bespoke shoes i was able to meet a lot of people and make some good connections with companies across the States. I will hopefully be extending my trunk show to include Scottsdale Arizona and working with Saverio Custom Clothiers. After the talk they had other people talking and workshops available, it was a very interesting chance to meet a lot of new friends.

A 'Classic' Shoe

2008-03-04T18:30:00.002-05:00

What is it that makes a shoe a 'classic'?
Is it the fact it is a certain colour, leather, style, with or without laces, what is it?

It is all of these things that in ones own mind that makes a shoe a classic. The full brogue, the semi-brogue, the oxford (with and without punched cap), the monk shoe, the penny loafer, the tassle loafer, infact the list can go on and on. I like to think that every shoe that is handmade becomes a classic, in the way that it is made individually for each person, everyone is different and so the full brogue for one person is going to look slightly different from one to another, whether due to the shape, the punching, the choice of colours used on the uppers and linings, the different choices of perforations on the toe, vamps, and quarters etc, this is what makes each one a classic in its own right. This is what is so special about being able to choose the shoe that you want the shoemaker to make for you. I love making shoes, and being able to help in the way of designing something for someone that is a little different. I think we are all aware that there is nothing new but to explore and stretch the possibilities of styles a little more creates our own 'classics'. A bit like the elastic sided shoe i have shown that has an alligator top with a black calf bottom, and the way the shoe is cut to make it look longer and slimmer, detailing that is important enough to make a shoe noticeable but not rediculous, smart and not too crazy and at the same time elegant enough for people to notice that it is something that cannot be bought off the shelf. The person wearing that shoe feels special as they also know that very few will have the shoe they have. This is what i believe creates a classic shoe, something a little out of the ordinary that looks good, and will be noticed by people that know what they are looking at.

Hand Embroidered Velvet Albert House Shoes

2008-02-24T20:00:00.008-05:00

I have recently made some velvet house shoes for the Metropolitan Club and also for a few well known clients. the beauty of these house shoes is not only the comfort of them but being able to choose the colour you would like, the different linings available and of course your choice of initials in either 'fancy block' or 'script'. If you have a family coat of arms then this too can be hand embroidered on to the velvet or like the initials of the Metropolitan Club, the logo that is recognised as being part of the club. The colours of velvet available are black, navy, wine, bottle green, pink, gold, white & lime green, choose then the colour of the luxurious quilted lining in black or red. The house shoes come with a dress sole of about an 1/8" thick, ideal for around the house or for the occassional trip outside. The heels too are of leather and they measure 3/4" in height. The formal house shoe looks good whether worn indoors in the privacy of your own home or with a black tie suit for a very formal event.

The house shoe with the 'A' embroidered on them is embroidered in 'script' a single initial stands out very well and looks good, this is the ladies style of slipper and has a slightly lower cut to it than the mens slipper to the right.

The house shoes are $500.00 per pair with up to 3 initials, family crest or logo hand embroidered on them are a little more. To order or for more information please go to the website and email or telephone me with the details and size required.

Why choose The London Shoemaker?

2008-02-05T12:07:00.000-05:00

A lot of people get their shoes handmade to measure, there are a few good shoemakers still in England to choose from but they do tend to specialise in a 'house' style. I like to think that with my history of the shoe business, that i have the knowledge of making a variety of different toeshapes & styles and can help you in choosing a shoe that you have always wanted. Whether you choose a timeless classic, something modern, in black box calf or something exotic with a fancy colour lining, all these i can help you make the right decision in the choice of shoe that will look good on you.

This pair above i have recently made and as i mentioned above it carries an age old style of the elastic sided shoe together with an alligator top and a box calf front and back. There is a very smart line of broguing in a single hole punch that carries forward to the front and the tassles are also in alligator. There is a very smart toe design to the front of the shoe that i think looks very delicate and carries the shoe off extremely well. It may be a little too much for some but as a modern twist on an old design it goes very well.

It is something that won't suit everybody but it does show that if you have a style in mind and want a touch of the exotic material too, then with the help in choosing what will look good i am able to help you make that decision.

Welcome

2008-02-05T10:14:00.001-05:00

Welcome to my bespoke handmade custom shoe weblog.
I have been in the shoe trade for the past 30 years and at the age of sixteen after finishing school I started work with:

Alan McAfee.
I worked within the Aquascutum store on Regent Street before running my own shop for them in Old Bond Street. Over the years with them I ended up running their shops in New Bond Street, Knightsbridge, Brompton Road, Mayfair and the City.

New & Lingwood.
On Jermyn Street, where i was fortunate enough to train as a lastmaker and worked in a small room with a vice and a bench, this was the same small room that shoemaker George Cleverley used to make his shoes, and i was able to talk and watch him whilst he was there. I learnt a lot in my years with New & Lingwood and also travelled to the USA and Japan for their overseas trunk shows.

Foster & Son.
Also on Jermyn Street and learnt under the guidance of Mr Terry Moore, who is regarded as the best last maker in London. Here i studied more on lastmaking & clicking (the cutting of the leather). For the time i spent here i learnt a great deal on shaping and hand carving the lasts. I also re-started their overseas visits to the USA.

G J Cleverley.
In The Royal Arcade off Old Bond Street. It seemed funny returning alsmost to the same place that i started work many years ago and how some of the places had changed over the time and how the fashion houses had moved in. I worked for cleverley for over ten years, and over that time i took on the roll of workshop manager, dealing with the makers, closers and repairers. I also travelled to the USA and Japan for them measuring and fitting the shoes, and of course lastmaking and helping in the training of people who wanted to know how to make lasts, one of them being Mr Tony Gaziano, who came from Edward Green to learn with us.

The London Shoemaker
In 2005 i started my own business and travelled to the USA on my first trunk show, i travelled regularly to New York, four times a year with Steven Hitchcock - Master Tailor and i also travelled to Washington DC where i worked with Field Custom Tailors n Wisconsin Avenue. I am now able to make and create the shoes and ideas that i was unable to do previously and take them from paper to the finished shoe.

At Journeymen Saddlers-Middleburg VA
I moved to the USA in April of 2007 on a work visa and am currently based in North Virginia in Middleburg, i have taken on the repairing of the riding boots and also tack repair at 'Journeymen Saddlers' who specialise in custom chaps, saddle, tack and riding boot repairs. I am also their person for the measuring for 'Vogel' riding boots.

Journeymen Saddlers are able to offer a complete service for all equine related repairs, whatever needs repairing can be done at their store on West Federal Street, Middleburg.