Faconnable shoe vendors

[JLibourel]

Some years ago (1999 or 2000) I bought a very high-quality pair of Faconnable chukka boots on sale at Nordstrom. They have fully welted commando soles, and in general seem to be somewhat higher quality than my Allen-Edmonds shoes. I have often wondered who the vendor might have been. I was just looking at the Alden of Carmel website, and the welting, lining and general workmanship look very similar to Alden products. Does anybody know whether Alden ever was a vendor to Faconnable...or can suggest any other likely candidate? (I'd love to post pictures but I don't have a digital camera, a scanner or the know-how.) Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[AlanC]

Are they stated as USA made? Faconnable is a French brand originally, although these days I think a lot of their clothing is made 3rd world. Ties are French made (by Breuer) and I have a pair of braces that are English made. Nordstrom owns the brand I'm pretty sure.

If it's not Alden (seems unlikely that it would be) perhaps it could be a French company like Paraboot.

 

[JLibourel]

The Paraboot suggestion was a good one, Alan. I was just on their website looking at the welting, etc., on some of their designs like the Avignon or the Azay--very similar. I think you're probably right. Paraboot is only mentioned very occasionally in this forum, but if they are the makers of my chukka boots, they produce some very good products indeed. Thanks for the tip.

 

[A Harris]

Faconnable has used all sorts of different makers to do their shoes, so Alden is a possibility. I've seen Faco shoes by Harris (Italy,) Alfred Sargent (England) and a variety of other makers.

 

[T4phage]

I had a Faconable shoe I bought from Nordstroms back in the mid 90's... it was a monk strap pebble grain with a leather sole and a thin "commando" rubber topsole stitched on. It said "Made for Faconnable by Alden". I don't know who currently makes their shoes though.

 

[JLibourel]

Hmmm...the plot thickens. I bought these chukka boots about six years ago on a closeout sale at Nordstroms, so they would be fairly close contemporaries to your Alden-Faconnable monkstraps.

 

[T4phage]

Hmmm...the plot thickens. I bought these chukka boots about six years ago on a closeout sale at Nordstroms, so they would be fairly close contemporaries to your Alden-Faconnable monkstraps.

Does your chukka have handwritten numbers on the sole, abutting the heel?

 

[JLibourel]

Quote:

(JLibourel @ May 03 2005,18:14) Hmmm...the plot thickens. I bought these chukka boots about six years ago on a closeout sale at Nordstroms, so they would be fairly close contemporaries to your Alden-Faconnable monkstraps.
Does your chukka have handwritten numbers on the sole, abutting the heel?
No, the only markings are a number "7271" and the U.S. size inside the vamp. On the bottom of the shallow-lug sole it says "Traditonal Style" and there is a little brass plate with the name "Faconnable" on it. Stitched to the heel portion of the insole is a cloth label with "Faconnable Designed by Albert Goldberg"...and that's it. Thank you for your continuing interest and assistance in this matter.