Mischa Bergshoeff Bespoke shoes

Realizing that most of you never heard of Mischa, I think that it's about time for some good old Dutch chauvinism. Mischa Bergshoeff just won the award for best bespoke shoemaker in the Benelux with this shoe: From what I have understood is that there will be a European contest 2 years from now in which he will also participate. It is made according to the San Crispino method for those interested. Basically, I just wanted to show you guys this shoe because I just love it.

Mischa, congratulations (sure he will read everything on this forum)....... Wonderfull shoes, I hope to walk on your shoes in the future.

For those interested: http://www.ilmaestro.nl/ He even seems to employ the John Lobb (Paris) method of a clear plastic "trial shoe".

Amazing shoe I really like that design Only a bit more Berluti like patina wil do

My own opinions run counter to most of the Dutch posters regarding "Il Maestro". I find his lasts lacking in elegance, in the sense that it has almost a 'me too' feel about them, nor do the bespoke lasts have the sleekness of Berluti. I also don't find his designs appealing, lacking the grace, style, and balance of Lobb Paris, Cleverley, or Tony Gaziano. There was even a link describing him as being "better than Lobb"... I don't think the person who wrote that owned a Lobb Paris, because if you did, there is no way that one could say that.

You cant compare him with lobb and berluti because they are in a completely different price range.

You cant compare him with lobb and berluti because they are in a completely different price range.

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Bespoke is bespoke, and theoretically you could compare different artisans on their lastmaking and patternmaking skills.

My own opinions run counter to most of the Dutch posters regarding "Il Maestro". Â I find his lasts lacking in elegance, in the sense that it has almost a 'me too' feel about them, nor do the bespoke lasts have the sleekness of Berluti. I also don't find his designs appealing, lacking the grace, style, and balance of Lobb Paris, Cleverley, or Tony Gaziano. There was even a link describing him as being "better than Lobb"... I don't think the person who wrote that owned a Lobb Paris, because if you did, there is no way that one could say that.

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What do you mean with that "me too"? IMHO the high-end shoe market is way too fragmentend so you can't realy point out any 'styles'. You have to see Bergshoeff more as a custom shoemaker. It' not really a brand like Lobb or Berluti.

What do you mean with that "me too"? IMHO the high-end shoe market is way too fragmentend so you can't realy point out any 'styles'.

You have to see Bergshoeff more as a custom shoemaker. It' not really a brand like Lobb or Berluti.

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What I meant by the "me too" comment is that many many many shoe companies have now started to make shoes with either a chisel, or enlongated or both... just go to Italy and see.

As for the high end shoe market being fragmented? How so? Berluti certainly have a look, so does EG, Lobb, Santoni, etc, etc, etc.... these manufacturers have their own 'personalities', and we have not discussed bespoke yet.... and most of the more famous makers also have a certain style/finishing/last making skill that they are known for.

What do you mean by Bergshoeff as a "custom shoemaker?" and not a brand? You cannot look at it in that way... since he is a bespoke shoemaker, you should look at his lastmaking and patternmaking skills and compare that to what the bespoke artisans at the larger houses produce... in that respect, I do not see Bergshoeff as being at the same level.

Well, I can't judge on the quality whatsoever since I have no experience with bespoke shoes. What I mean is that he isn't really a brand like Santoni, EG, Lobb, AE etc. They have models and can make those bespoke for customers. Bergshoeff is more custom I think. He can make (reproduce?) the shoe you want. Why is that a wrong view on the situation? Con of this, he lacks any housestyle. Indirectely an image. And isn't that what we're buying?

Well, I can't judge on the quality whatsoever since I have no experience with bespoke shoes. What I mean is that he isn't really a brand like Santoni, EG, Lobb, AE etc. They have models and can make those bespoke for customers. Bergshoeff is more custom I think. He can make (reproduce?) the shoe you want. Why is that a wrong view on the situation? Con of this, he lacks any housestyle. Indirectely an image. And isn't that what we're buying? Â

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Well, Lobb, Cleverley, and Tony Gaziano of EG will certainly make you a shoe of any design that you want. Berluti have a little less leeway. Still, one has to judge a bespoke shoemaker in terms of lastmaking and patternmaking skills, and the resultant 'balance' of the shoe. This is how we should judge bespoke.

I understand. But hey, he's allready the best of the Benelux

If 1 procent on this site knows what Benelux means it is much. I'm already happy when an American knows that the Netherlands is a country and not some state of Germany.

If 1 procent on this site knows what Benelux means it is much. I'm already happy when an American knows that the Netherlands is a country and not some state of Germany.

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Isn't Benelux south of Ohio?

Solaritas et al., you guys should now be happy since you all were bemoaning the fact that this topic here on SF was going nowhere in your discussions over at stijlforum.nl