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The high end Chinese Shoe Thread

ijustknow

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I know there are some Taiwanese shoe group ( no where as big as SF). I’m sure there are some in mainland but I don’t follow .

I might guess maybe some wechat group rather than forum which is kind a bit ancient technology by today’s social network standard (in its presentation and how information are consumed and shared, though it has certain content depth advantage). on that kind stuff it feels like China typically adepts whatever is new and move on
Your observation is quite true, Forum is very out of date in China, Wechat groups reign. Although most Chinese can speak English, we chat in Chinese in those groups.

Anyone interested can add my wechat: fupei0408
 

ijustknow

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I fully vouch for the excellent customer service of @boot_owl . He really goes the extra mile to make sure the customer is happy with the ordering process and the finished product. He is super responsive, as well. I have to say House of Agin is terrific value. You get hand welted shoes with nicely shaped lasts for 490 USD. Hard to beat.
I own three pairs of Mattina.
Their shoes are designed by Zhao Ruoda, who is 12nd in Shoemaking Championship 2017(2018?) and trained in Stefano Bemer studio.
The last is very elegant and timeless, the more you look at it, the deeper you love it.
 

ijustknow

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Speaking of Chinese made shoes, anyone have heavy usage shoes from either Yim or Lu Yang? I know that ThunderMarch has many, but I was curious if anyone else did. Also TM doesn't really wear his, so (like myself) hard to guage break-in and comfort levels from him.
Anywho if you do own from either or both makers, how are they holding up?

Obviously, there are many that have Xibao offerings. Not as many with Jim&Jun. Even less with ACME. It would be great to hear from owners of the accessible Chinese Bespoke maker's shoes.
Luyang Bespoke service now requires more than 1 year in the queue. People all seek for his Seamless wholecut.

YIM is planning his RTW and may hit the market in the first half of 2021.

ACME is very easy to buy and too expensive to have, haha.
 

ijustknow

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Hey there - nice shots!

Are these by Mattina? If so, would be keen to see more ...... have heard good things, this brand seems to have some real talent behind it - I was told Stefano Bemer trained? - but gets less love than I had expected, am wondering why.

Perhaps they should give away pairs to the usual suspects to get 'reviewed' : ) There, I said it ..... ROFL
Zhao Ruoda, the bespoke shoemaker behind the brand Mattina is very low profile, and he only services acquittances right now, so his projects are not openly discussed.

I call the brand The Chinese Crockett & Jones, you can guess the quality.
 

ijustknow

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Are any of those guys going international?
Xibao, or you call it TGC, or Oct Tenth definitely does.

Mattina only have an Agin in Aus, no real plan to go international recently.

And brand called SLIMSHOES also a premium brand from the same company Yearn Shoemaker are going international.
 

clee1982

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Zhao Ruoda, the bespoke shoemaker behind the brand Mattina is very low profile, and he only services acquittances right now, so his projects are not openly discussed.

I call the brand The Chinese Crockett & Jones, you can guess the quality.

speaking Chinese and CJ, anyone does CJ style English country shoe but made in China and handwelt (think CJ Ashdown/Pembroke/Brecon)
 

ijustknow

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speaking Chinese and CJ, anyone does CJ style English country shoe but made in China and handwelt (think CJ Ashdown/Pembroke/Brecon)
I mean the market position, a very solid mid range shoe brand.

Style wise, I feel 70% English blends with 30% Italian.

And craftsmanship is not behind Crockett & Jones at all.
 

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