Meermin Mallorca Shoes

[rdugz]

Which model is this whole controversy about? Is it still on the meermin website?

 

[honestpanda]

Which model is this whole controversy about? Is it still on the meermin website?

Custom Field Boot

Custom Field Boot

meermin.com

 

[Crizzlelovesyou]

It’s kind of weird though they would decide not to carry it going forward. Ostmos may have popularized it but it’s still a vintage style which he even admits. Same thing happened with Viberg, they popularized the service boot and now every maker has one.

Its Lars' signature style though. I think he only makes his type 2 in his own size and rarely ever, so 99% of what he sells is the type 1 or the shoe IIRC. Its also an archival model from his heritage as well, and not just an old pattern he liked and decided to fully commit too. I don't think Meermin meant anything malicious and I don't think he took it that way either.

Also for the record Carmina has this sort of style also (but I don't think its ever a stock option, only an MTO one.) I think if this was one of several patterns it would have been glanced over, but the entire MTO event was based on this one specific pattern.

I do dig the pattern, and Ostmos are definitely a grail for me. I'd have considered picking these up, but I'm still waiting on my HOK scuffed shell boots to arrive and I'm not doubling down on a last I haven't gotten to try on yet.

 

[honestpanda]

Its Lars' signature style though. I think he only makes his type 2 in his own size and rarely ever, so 99% of what he sells is the type 1 or the shoe IIRC. Its also an archival model from his heritage as well, and not just an old pattern he liked and decided to fully commit too.

I still don’t see how this is different than when Viberg was the only one making service boots in their style based on a pattern the founder tweaked as a work boot in the 1930s. Now interpretations and straight up clones are available from everyone. Both are still vintage/archival patterns that aren’t original and can’t be claimed.

 

[Crafty Cumbrian]

It’s kind of weird though they would decide not to carry it going forward. Ostmos may have popularized it but it’s still a vintage style which he even admits. Same thing happened with Viberg, they popularized the service boot and now every maker has one.

I felt the same way yesterday. I’ve seen his work but it’s pretty much unattainable due to the nature of how he makes what he wants and sells by auction. That’s fair enough but as you said I don’t think it’s exactly a unique style. The stitching to the shaft as I understand it is the issue as that’d more his signature than the actual boot. As a caveat just because someone makes ltd releases doesn’t make them easy prey and I don’t think this has been the case and seems to have been resolved to both sides satisfaction.

 

[Patrick1053]

Does anyone know if Meermin will install metal toe plates?

Also, does anyone of pictures of the Brown Museum Shell?

I'd like some pictures of the Marbled cherry and marbled brown shell too, if possible.

 

[Crafty Cumbrian]

Does anyone know if Meermin will install metal toe plates?

Also, does anyone of pictures of the Brown Museum Shell?

I'd like some pictures of the Marbled cherry and marbled brown shell too, if possible.

Don’t think they will do toe plates, easy enough at a competent cobbler.

 

[Crizzlelovesyou]

I still don’t see how this is different than when Viberg was the only one making service boots in their style based on a pattern the founder tweaked as a work boot in the 1930s. Now interpretations and straight up clones are available from everyone. Both are still vintage/archival patterns that aren’t original and can’t be claimed.

Well wait the 2030 last we know and love was originally from Dayton and not Viberg right? And there were issues with like Truman going to trade shows and getting all the details on the 2030 last before they finally redid their lasts after taking a lot of flack since it was a carbon copy. Also Viberg is a full factory and Lars is one guy making 3 pairs a month only. Viberg wasn't happy about all the copies either.

 

[joman8390]

Just to clarify, this run is carrying on but they’ve agreed not to use the pattern going forwards is my understanding.

hmm....now or never....you may have just convinced me that I "need" these. Now the question is, to shell cordovan or not to shell cordovan?

 

[vdubiv]

this whole conversation is weird to me, how do all the companies that sell shoes at Payless get away with making clones of Nike, Adidas, ect.? I can understand maybe saying a last is proprietary and cannot be copied, but how does one say you cannot make a certain boot/shoe style? Also I read a few articles and the design that Lars uses he copied from somewhere himself?

 

[honestpanda]

Well wait the 2030 last we know and love was originally from Dayton and not Viberg right? And there were issues with like Truman going to trade shows and getting all the details on the 2030 last before they finally redid their lasts after taking a lot of flack since it was a carbon copy. Also Viberg is a full factory and Lars is one guy making 3 pairs a month only. Viberg wasn't happy about all the copies either.

The last was from Dayton but it was not developed by them. It’s from the Canadian government. When a company is awarded a contract to produce officer and parade boots they provide the pattern and last. And either way Viberg tweaked and modified it numerous times.
Yeah and I don’t think Ostmo will have a problem moving the two pairs he makes once a month because of this. Those are still going to sell. He’ll continue to make a random size in a random leather and have no problem selling it through his lotto system.
Viberg was upset and even called out Truman for copying a stockist specific miniripple makeup (I think Gentry?) and was laughed at and people made the argument that they can’t own an idea, especially one that is based on an old pattern even if it was developed and made unique.

 

[Crizzlelovesyou]

The last was from Dayton but it was not developed by them. It’s from the Canadian government. When a company is awarded a contract to produce officer and parade boots they provide the pattern and last. And either way Viberg tweaked and modified it numerous times.
Yeah and I don’t think Ostmo will have a problem the two pairs he makes once a month because of this. Those are still going to sell. He’ll continue to make a random size in a random leather and have no problem selling it through his lotto system.
Viberg was upset and even called out Truman for copying a stockist specific miniripple makeup (I think Gentry?) and was laughed at and people made the argument that they can’t own an idea, especially one that is based on an old pattern even if it was developed and made unique.

Truman did change their last though. At that point you were looking at a smaller company copying a larger one, this is a large company copying a single craftsman. Truman doesn't even do stitchdown anymore. I think they're in the right spot for the kind of boots they want to make now too. I get Meermin's response. They started getting negative press from every "bootfluencer" too and they definitely didn't want that either.

 

[rob g]

this whole conversation is weird to me, how do all the companies that sell shoes at Payless get away with making clones of Nike, Adidas, ect.? I can understand maybe saying a last is proprietary and cannot be copied, but how does one say you cannot make a certain boot/shoe style? Also I read a few articles and the design that Lars uses he copied from somewhere himself?

Same here. I saw the MTO and all I thought was "Oh, a plain toe boot".

 

[honestpanda]

Truman did change their last though. At that point you were looking at a smaller company copying a larger one, this is a large company copying a single craftsman. Truman doesn't even do stitchdown anymore. I think they're in the right spot for the kind of boots they want to make now too. I get Meermin's response. They started getting negative press from every "bootfluencer" too and they definitely didn't want that either.

Regardless of where Truman is today when that dust up happened a couple years ago not many people agreed with Viberg’s take and most people still don’t. If people want to be selective with their hand wringing then so be it.

 

[Crizzlelovesyou]

Regardless of where Truman is today when that dust up happened a couple years ago not many people agreed with Viberg’s take and most people still don’t. If people want to be selective with their hand wringing then so be it.

I dunno. I'm just glad to see this didn't become a big deal here between Lars and Meermin and they settled on good terms just verbally. Now if only they would fix their shipping without warning/giving tracking numbers next....