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clee1982

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I think I abuse my shell quite a bit probably why... rain/snow/salt everything...
 

marlinspike

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Earlier I mentioned woven leather loafers. I think I have an idea, but maybe I'm wrong, will take the thoughts of the hive mind: the woven areas to be a mid brown and then the non woven areas (the strap across the vamp, rim of the opening for the foot, rim where the top of the toe box meets the sides) will be out of a lighter brown.
 

JohnMRobie

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My first look at the start of my last for my first commission.
ADD0C7AE-B6BC-44A3-B676-8D582434B10A.jpeg
 

marlinspike

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Has anybody here bought laces from Senkels.at. They're kind of crazy expensive for laces, but on the other hand it's still not much money and they should last long enough that the cost doesn't really matter. I got a few pairs. I think they look very nice, but at least in new condition they don't cinch down as well as some other laces (they can slip after knotted). I'll have to see if time/wear solves this, though they don't seem to be unlacing when I walk at least.
 

j ingevaldsson

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Has anybody here bought laces from Senkels.at. They're kind of crazy expensive for laces, but on the other hand it's still not much money and they should last long enough that the cost doesn't really matter. I got a few pairs. I think they look very nice, but at least in new condition they don't cinch down as well as some other laces (they can slip after knotted). I'll have to see if time/wear solves this, though they don't seem to be unlacing when I walk at least.

I have recently got a few pairs, only used them a couple of times yet but I've hadno problems with them coming loose or so at all. I love that there's so many shades of brown available, plus always liked brass aglets.
 

nub915

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Hi everyone,

I wanted to get my first pair of bespoke shoes and live in the Los Angeles area. I was wondering what you would suggest for my first experience. I am debating between Dominic Casey, Mecariello, Stefano Bemer, JL Paris, and JLSJ. I was wondering if you have to fly to destination cities where these shoes are made for fittings or do some of these companies come out to Los Angeles for Trunk Shows. I couldn't find much online.

Thank you!
 

BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes

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Hi everyone,

I wanted to get my first pair of bespoke shoes and live in the Los Angeles area. I was wondering what you would suggest for my first experience. I am debating between Dominic Casey, Mecariello, Stefano Bemer, JL Paris, and JLSJ. I was wondering if you have to fly to destination cities where these shoes are made for fittings or do some of these companies come out to Los Angeles for Trunk Shows. I couldn't find much online.

Thank you!

As you know, no one is traveling for trunk shows at the moment.
I'd say your most viable current option amongst the makers on this list is Stefano Bemer. You can fly to NY to have it done.

Dominic Casey, as far as I'm aware, doesn't have a trunk show in LA but does in NY (once travel restrictions are lifted).

JLP and JLSJ would require trips to Paris and London respectively.
If you were interested in the JLSJ look, Nicholas Templeman can make you a shoe exactly like that at a cheaper price and I believe he does travel to LA (he can confirm that though). Again, as with Casey, once travel restrictions are lifted this would be an option.

Meccariello will require a trip to Italy.
 

Concordia

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Has anybody here bought laces from Senkels.at. They're kind of crazy expensive for laces, but on the other hand it's still not much money and they should last long enough that the cost doesn't really matter. I got a few pairs. I think they look very nice, but at least in new condition they don't cinch down as well as some other laces (they can slip after knotted). I'll have to see if time/wear solves this, though they don't seem to be unlacing when I walk at least.
Have you considered impregnating them with beeswax? Drag over the edge of a candle, or even soak in melted wax.
 

dieworkwear

Mahatma Jawndi
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Hi everyone,

I wanted to get my first pair of bespoke shoes and live in the Los Angeles area. I was wondering what you would suggest for my first experience. I am debating between Dominic Casey, Mecariello, Stefano Bemer, JL Paris, and JLSJ. I was wondering if you have to fly to destination cities where these shoes are made for fittings or do some of these companies come out to Los Angeles for Trunk Shows. I couldn't find much online.

Thank you!

I believe the John Lobb store in Costa Mesa is able to take bespoke orders. If not, I was told that they would fly out to meet customers, even if you're the only customer in that city. Getting them to do so requires you to put a deposit down upfront. But once an order has been placed, a fitter will fly out and meet you at your office. (At least this was what was told to me five years ago or so).

I'm a big fan of Nicholas Templeman's work. He visits San Francisco. His prices are much lower than John Lobb Paris and John Lobb London. I don't know about the prices at the other places you listed. I think he provides really good service, along with obviously being a top-end lastmaker. He'll fix things without needing you to ask, he works closely with you to make the shoes you want, and he's just a very pleasant person to work with.
 

Texasmade

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JLP doesn’t require trips to Paris. Go down to the Costa Mesa shop and tell them you want some bespoke shoes and Paul Wilson will arrange to fly out to LA.

Also last I checked, prices for JLP first time customers is running in the $8k+ range. Repeat customers was in the $7k range. I believe this gets readjusted every year for FX rates and cost.

Whatever you decide, DO NOT COMMISSION FROM GJ Cleverly.
 

BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes

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I believe the John Lobb store in Costa Mesa is able to take bespoke orders. If not, I was told that they would fly out to meet customers, even if you're the only customer in that city. Getting them to do so requires you to put a deposit down upfront. But once an order has been placed, a fitter will fly out and meet you at your office. (At least this was what was told to me five years ago or so).
JLP doesn’t require trips to Paris. Go down to the Costa Mesa shop and tell them you want some bespoke shoes and Paul Wilson will arrange to fly out to LA.

Also last I checked, prices for JLP first time customers is running in the $8k+ range. Repeat customers was in the $7k range. I believe this gets readjusted every year for FX rates and cost.

That's interesting regarding the service from that Costa Mesa shop. Nice service to have for potential clients.
 

Texasmade

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That's interesting regarding the service from that Costa Mesa shop. Nice service to have for potential clients.
All of the JLP boutiques in the US have that service except for NYC since Paul lives there. For NYC you can basically walk in and get measured right away provided Paul is at the shop. Costa Mesa, Bal Harbour, and Houston all require appointments and deposits. Once you commit to have Paul to fly out, you’re pretty much committed unless you’re willing to forgo that initial deposit.
 

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