Any good shoe buys in Paris?

[nmoraitis]

Originally Posted by RJman

Prices generally include VAT; Carmina in cordovan are, I think, over 400 euros.


Last time I was at Carmina, I believe the cordovan shoes were 525 euros.

 

[johnapril]

Originally Posted by nmoraitis

Last time I was at Carmina, I believe the cordovan shoes were 525 euros.

I bought a pair of Cordovan boots at Carmina Albaladejo this week: 550 euros.

 

[RJman]

You can get some Lodings (probably made in India) at good prices in the sale. Finsbury is on perma-sale.

 

[m_wave]

I'll be planning fog up the window of Corthay and Aubercy when I get to Paris later this year!

 

[manouche]

Originally Posted by Dan G

Will be in Paris next week. Are there any sources for the top non-Italian brands at below retail prices?

Mephisto.

 

[Tampan]

Originally Posted by johnapril

I bought a pair of Cordovan boots at Carmina Albaladejo this week: 550 euros.

Perhaps that price is for boots, or perhaps it depends on location. Last Friday I saw cordovan shoes at Carmina in Via Gran, Madrid, for 475 euros. So nice!

I got what I could almost afford instead, a beautiful pair of Carmina black double monks made of cow for 290 euros. They look the same, at least while new. Definitely the nicest shoes I own.

 

[jpb]

Carmina does have some discounted stuff, I assume discontinued models. In any case, I have been there twice outside of sales season and the furthest rack from the door, next to the workshop entrance, has been discounted 20-30%.

 

[pabloj]

Originally Posted by Tampan

Perhaps that price is for boots, or perhaps it depends on location. ....
We are talking about Carmina in Paris, see the thread title, you are quoting prices in Madrid

 

[Etienne]

Originally Posted by RJman

Sales season, as mentioned before, is set by law in France.
It's slightly more complexe and there has been a recent change.

Previous rule: two periods of sales each lasting 6 weeks (one in the summer, one in January), starting date set in each dÃ

partement by a decision by the prÃ

fet.

New rule: two periods of sales each lasting 5 weeks (one in the summer, one in January), starting date set nationally, and 2 weeks set freely by each shop when they want during the year.

 

[HHD]

So now there will be week-long "promotions?" Good! Though some shops have always found ways around the sales rules...

To add to the shoes in Paris question, Heschung makes good shoes at reasonable prices.

Many models are no longer made in France. I believe the traditional shoes are still Alsace produced but the trendier lines (which are nearly all very ugly) are produced in central Europe.

 

[bleachboy]

There are photographs of the Paris store, including prices of a few models (that they can apparently custom patinate) at the store's blog. I plan to be visiting in November.

 

[pabloj]

See here for a couple other photos

 

[Etienne]

Originally Posted by HHD

Though some shops have always found ways around the sales rules...
Actually, no. But there are other possibilities to give discounts besides the proper "sales". One of the differences is that you are not allowed to advertise it outside the shop nor to call it "sales".

Many models are no longer made in France. I believe the traditional shoes are still Alsace produced but the trendier lines (which are nearly all very ugly) are produced in central Europe.

I thought Heschung had moved all their production to Hungary?

In RTW I think only Weston and Corthay still produce in France.

 

[Pressfan]

I believe Paraboot are still made in France.

 

[HHD]

Originally Posted by Étienne

Actually, no. But there are other possibilities to give discounts besides the proper "sales". One of the differences is that you are not allowed to advertise it outside the shop nor to call it "sales".


I thought Heschung had moved all their production to Hungary?


I see. Do the TBM jours at Le Bon MarchÃ

fall into this category? They are advertised everywhere, but aren't called sales.

Heschung - yes I think they've moved most of their production to Hungary, though I saw some shoes on their website A/W 2009/09 collection which were still labelled Made in France. Paraboot shoes are reportedly made in France too.