John Lobb Artisan series "Henys" model cheaper alternative

[dauster]

Hi, I am new to the forum and have been really enjoying reading it over the last couple of weeks (currently live in San Francisco).
I am looking for a loafer that looks similar to the one John Lobb (Paris) offers as part of their bespoke program, but they don't have anything close to that in RTW or MTO (already asked). And I don't want to spend $8,500 for my first bespoke pair. Apparently afterwards it gets cheaper approx. $6,500 - still too expensive. Willing to spend $2,000 though. The only somewhat similar shoe I found is from St Crispin but I never tried any shoes from them and they don't have stores that carry them in the Bay. Also they still have not reached back out about returns/ shipping costs (wrote an email 2 weeks ago) etc since they are shipping from Austria I believe.

 

[comrade]

JM Weston has this model:

https://www.jmweston.com/mocassin-ultra-weston-cuir-veau-lisse-noir

They have a shop in NYC. weston has its' own size system.
Their shoes are extremely high quality.

 

[comrade]

Another option from Georg Materna, Vienna:

http://materna-schuhe.at/en/masterpieces

May only be bespoke

 

[comrade]

Inexpensive alternative, very light:

https://www.ludwig-reiter.com/en/inflight-s-103-nfs-cs

I have several pairs of their "regular" derbys.
Exceptional quality.

 

[haloitsme]

Another option from Georg Materna, Vienna:

http://materna-schuhe.at/en/masterpieces

May only be bespoke

I love materna, they don’t charge for wood-form extra. Nice stuff, as good as the neighbor. Arround 1200-1600€. But they are not real artists, in my opinion. But very good classic stuff.

But if you want to go full banana in Vienna ; go Scheer gmbh, ~5k/pair.

 

[papado]

Limited sizes left : https://www.barneys.com/product/cro...Vgp6fCh2hfgu7EAQYAiABEgIXXfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Carmina has them in suede but you can MTO them in calfskin I'd bet: https://www.carminashoemaker.us/mens-loafers/slippers-loafers-black-suede-80384

Some other makers may offer the model via MTO so it would depend on what brands you can try-on and order.

 

[Bic Pentameter]

You definately can order a similar model from Carmina. I have a pair made by Carmina in shell cordovan.
Koji Suzuki made a version in green calf for me too.

Bic

 

[WilYa]

Lof Tung

 

[dauster]

Thank you all for the suggestions, especially the Carmina suggestions is great. Most likely I will go with the GG Bates loafer though, also GC has a good option...