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The Ultimate "HARDCORE" Shoe Appreciation Thread (Bespoke only)

clee1982

Stylish Dinosaur
Joined
Feb 22, 2009
Messages
28,807
Reaction score
24,607
Update

Had commissioned a bespoke shoe from a man

Resume:
- 7 years industrial shoe making experience in rtw and custom shoe firm working with the right type of people.
- 1.5 years shoe making and last making at Roberto Ugolini
- 1 year shoe making and last making at Fosters & Sons

Result:
- trial shoe fit like a box with my toes hitting all types of angles in the chisel toe shoe (horrible fit).
- no idea on how to fit a shoe and some of his website pictures did show pictures of shoes that did not sit right on the feet of some men.
- had to part ways because he had no clue how to fit me (not enough experience)

His skills:
- excellent shoe making skills
- excellent antiquing skills
- excellent lasting and closing skills
- natural talent in making a beautiful last and drawing up a well balanced pattern (one of the best)

His last making skills:
- said many things which indicated he had no idea how to fit.
- thought he knew it all and had enough experience
- my experience with his last making skills compared to a seasoned veteran in a top firm was like night and day.
- needed more experience working with the top firms

The sad decline:
- was once excited about doing great things
- 1 year later he complained he was not being supported by clients, but men were always chasing him to make a shoe
- complained he was not making enough money
- become very negative about shoe making and become childish
- walked away from it all
- did not even bother to keep in contact anymore

Would have been very good to have had a bespoke maker who lived down the road.
Dream = crashed and burned. :fu:

so beautiful shoe that doesn’t fit…
 

patrickBOOTH

Stylish Dinosaur
Dubiously Honored
Joined
Oct 16, 2006
Messages
38,393
Reaction score
13,643
Update

Had commissioned a bespoke shoe from a man

Resume:
- 7 years industrial shoe making experience in rtw and custom shoe firm working with the right type of people.
- 1.5 years shoe making and last making at Roberto Ugolini
- 1 year shoe making and last making at Fosters & Sons

Result:
- trial shoe fit like a box with my toes hitting all types of angles in the chisel toe shoe (horrible fit).
- no idea on how to fit a shoe and some of his website pictures did show pictures of shoes that did not sit right on the feet of some men.
- had to part ways because he had no clue how to fit me (not enough experience)

His skills:
- excellent shoe making skills
- excellent antiquing skills
- excellent lasting and closing skills
- natural talent in making a beautiful last and drawing up a well balanced pattern (one of the best)

His last making skills:
- said many things which indicated he had no idea how to fit.
- thought he knew it all and had enough experience
- my experience with his last making skills compared to a seasoned veteran in a top firm was like night and day.
- needed more experience working with the top firms

The sad decline:
- was once excited about doing great things
- 1 year later he complained he was not being supported by clients, but men were always chasing him to make a shoe
- complained he was not making enough money
- become very negative about shoe making and become childish
- walked away from it all
- did not even bother to keep in contact anymore

Would have been very good to have had a bespoke maker who lived down the road.
Dream = crashed and burned. :fu:
This happened to me as well.
 

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