Just a couple of thoughts from someone who owns 24 pairs of Gaziano and Girling MTO shoes.
The name "Deco" is apt for this range - they do remind me of shoes from the Art Deco period. They look exquisite and I am sure are very very well made shoes.
However, whilst I like them I cannot see myself wearing them and so won't be buying a pair.
I had a long chat with Dean Girling about what you American guys call "Gemming" ( Ribbing in the UK). He promised me that the process of gluing a canvas rib to the insole and sewing the welt to that provides just as strong an attachement as sewing to a rib cut from the insole. I do not wish to open this discussion again, merely report on a conversation with a Master Shoemaker. He told me the insole needs replacing just as many times in a bespoke shoe as in a ready to wear shoe,. He also assured me that a RTW shoe lasts just as long as a bespoke shoe. Finally he told me that if shoes were hand welted they'd cost so much that no one would think they were worth it and might as well go bespoke. I know, I know, Cliff Roberts etc etc but he's not yet set up a factory as far as I know, and I know and know factories, the devil , satan inspired manufacturing, blah blah. But if you want to make a serious living out of shoemaking I guess you've either got to have a good bespoke clientele or own a factory.
I know EG TD are gemmed and I know JLP Prestige are too, I would think Anthony Cleverley are too or they'd cost more.
Deco - works of art but as shoes to wear? - yes, for a very particular kind of customer I suspect.
I was really looking forward to them.
