Japanese Shoes: Bespoke & RTW Super Thread

[Stefan88]

They were both made as bespoke samples to showcase some of his possibilities. I recall him saying that the waist for the blue one was made really thin and borderline impractical.

The jet black sole on the black/burgundy one was finished in a method he said was inspired by Japanese lacquer (urushi), by applying and polishing layers after layers. Very pretty indeed but again not so practical for wearing lol

The urushi leather is fun. I spoke to some suppliers about using it, but it's really expensive and apparently doesn't have any positive features about it apart from being urushi and a great texture. Maybe you've heard otherwise?

 

[nutcracker]

what's his bespoke pricing in USD now?

I believe it’s still 290,000 jpy, or $2600 usd

 

[nutcracker]

The urushi leather is fun. I spoke to some suppliers about using it, but it's really expensive and apparently doesn't have any positive features about it apart from being urushi and a great texture. Maybe you've heard otherwise?

Not too aware of urushi leather.

I’m pretty sure Main d’or’s soles use standard sole finishes and wax, just that he was inspired by the meticulous method of urushi application.

 

[Stefan88]

Not too aware of urushi leather.

I’m pretty sure Main d’or’s soles use standard sole finishes and wax, just that he was inspired by the meticulous method of urushi application.

Think I remember seeing you post about Quadrifoglia (or w e the name is) some years ago.
The leather is finished like urushi, apparently. Surprisingly soft though.

 

[ThinkDerm]

I believe it’s still 290,000 jpy, or $2600 usd

a relative bargain. will he do any trunk shows in NYC??

 

[Texasmade]

a relative bargain. will he do any trunk shows in NYC??

I remember reading somewhere (maybe shoegazing's blog) that he doesn't do trunk shows. If you want Main d'or you'll need to fly to Japan for everything. I'm not even sure he does trunk shows in Japan. That's probably how he keeps his cost relatively low.

 

[j ingevaldsson]

what's his bespoke pricing in USD now?

I believe it’s still 290,000 jpy, or $2600 usd

He raised prices a bit 1,5 year ago or so, all the way from JPY 290,000 to JPY 300,000...

a relative bargain. will he do any trunk shows in NYC??

I remember reading somewhere (maybe shoegazing's blog) that he doesn't do trunk shows. If you want Main d'or you'll need to fly to Japan for everything. I'm not even sure he does trunk shows in Japan. That's probably how he keeps his cost relatively low.

He doesn't do trunk shows no. He already has about 2-2,5 years delivery time on new orders, and have stopped taking new customers since last year, to get the waiting time down a bit. Since he spends so much efforts on the fitting shoes (especially second fitting), it takes a lot more time with new customers.


Regarding his contest shoe who ended up in 3rd place in the world champs, here's two pics (will post much more later on on Shoegazing, when I review all contest shoes. A couple of pics of top three in this article):

 

[justsayno]

Marquess, Shoji

 

[ecwy]

George Boots by Ann. Bespoke

 

[Stefan88]

Marquess, Shoji

That was a nice video!
7 months until next fitting with Shoji. Should have taken a trip this spring

 

[j ingevaldsson]

Marquess, Shoji

Agree with above, great film! But I missed his smile

Another small "mini-documentary" has been made by Japanese public service company NHK about shoe shiner Yuya Hasegawa, who won the first World Championships in Shoe Shining. Can be viewed here (also with english subs).

 

[chifromdachi]

I suppose some of us have already seen the results for the shoemaking competition at London the other week.
Our old pal Eiji Murata, aka Main d`or scored the 3rd place, which I suppose is a reason to celebrate.
I don`t have the 3rd place shoe in hand (which I will, during the world tour that pit stops at our store)
but I do have some of his more adventurous bespoke sample shoes (that we recently took some glamour shots of). Enjoy!

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Drools...

 

[chifromdachi]

a relative bargain. will he do any trunk shows in NYC??

No, that's a STEAL. Pretty amazing quality. I'd love to own a pair or twelve. Too bad he doesn't do trunk shows. They're beautiful.

 

[ericgereghty]

Quality aside, I’d love to have a pair of Marquess made just for that smile. So refreshing to see someone who so obviously adores his craft

 

[VRaivio]

Quality aside, I’d love to have a pair of Marquess made just for that smile. So refreshing to see someone who so obviously adores his craft

Did you watch the video above? Not a smile in sight, likely it’s extra...