Made in Spain Footwear, including TLB Mallorca, Cobbler Union, Yanko, Norman Vilalta, etc

[j ingevaldsson]

I am probably going with the Artista line for my next shoes. I just purchased from Vass, but Artista seems better than Carmina. I also looked at C&J, I just prefer the aesthetics more on Artista. C&J is very English, which some will appreciate and others not. This is just my personal opinion after looking into these shoes.

Give it a try and see what you think, I’m sure you’ll be pleased! In previous replies in this thread I’ve done sort of “fact-based” comparisons (trying to leave our potential biased opinions) between Artista and bunch of brands, including Carmina and Vass. Browse a few pages back.

Then as always, aesthetics you like and good fit should always be a priority. If you like the look of a factually less good shoe more, and/or if a factually less good shoe fits better, it’s still always the better choice since it’s a shoe you will enjoy more.

 

[Andrew0409]

Give it a try and see what you think, I’m sure you’ll be pleased! In previous replies in this thread I’ve done sort of “fact-based” comparisons between Artista and bunch of brands, including Carmina and Vass. Browse a few pages back.

I definitely will. This is honestly my budget for shoes, around 400. Vass had a sale and I had to go with them just now. I might go MTO since I am looking for mid to light brown semi brogues, but the Artista line doesn't have them in mid to light brown, unfortunately. And probably rubber soles, I'm moving to London and it's rainy and wet all the time.

 

[nchia]

That type of creasing is only due to fit, lots of excess space over the ball of the foot which creates that.

Artista has excellent leather that creases finely I would say, surely at least on par with C&J BG (though BG has split suedes, while Artista only use full reverse calf suede), but maybe not as consistently high as C&J Handgrade.

Correct, I have a low instep and foot volume, hence the vamp creases quite a bit. I can attest to the quality though, they're definitely slightly better than Carmina and perhaps as good as C&J.

 

[patliean1]

I notice some harsh creasing which makes me wonder if the leather is actually high quality and soft and supple.

As mentioned, those creases are 100% most certainly not from low quality leather. I'll save myself the qualifying speech as to why...

 

[MrBoombastic]

Thanks @j ingevaldsson, appreciate your reply (and knowledge)! From what I see, I do totally agree that the construction and finishing on these is absolutely A grade; better than my C&J Handgrade in some respects if I must say it myself. Hence I was drawn to these to begin with.

As much as I prefer and like a well constructed shoe, the leather quality and the way creasing develops is of as much importance to me. My C&J Handgrade leather is soft and supple (well to me anyway as I haven’t ventured out much, still early days for me), and exhibits beautiful creasing, which I like as it adds character and is only natural to develop. What I don’t like, even more so now since I have gotten into quality leather shoes, is harsh/coarse looking creasing (looking at my Florsheim pair in comparison ). But it seems like the general consensus is that the leather quality of the Artista line is decent.

Do you know if there is any, albeit slight, difference between the leather quality of the Museum Calf and Vegano? As in if one is more supple/soft than the other, and may crease slightly better..? Although I am not a big fan of the museum finish (a bit patchy for my liking), the burgundy one is not as pronounced (and could even be made more uniform using a Saphir cream polish...or am I wrong?) and I could opt for that if that is the case. Also, it seems slightly darker which would be my preference as well.

Thanks again buddy!

EDIT - Would you happen to have a comparison picture of the Vegano vs Museum burgundy calf (unedited if possible)?

Agree on the execution of finishing. What I hope people understand is that Artista has a bunch of construction and finishing features that are much more complicated then also C&J Handgrade has, plus for example real leather heel stiffener (conforms better to the foot) compared to C&Js leather board. If you put on an Artista shoe on the right foot and a C&J HG on the left, Artista is sleeker and more “bespoke like” in its appearance, the C&J will look almost chunky in comparison. These things is what all the fuzz about Artista is about ?

That makes sense.. Thanks

Correct, I have a low instep and foot volume, hence the vamp creases quite a bit. I can attest to the quality though, they're definitely slightly better than Carmina and perhaps as good as C&J.

 

[j ingevaldsson]

Correct, I have a low instep and foot volume, hence the vamp creases quite a bit. I can attest to the quality though, they're definitely slightly better than Carmina and perhaps as good as C&J.

Yeah, I have wide and quite complicated feet, with a bit of hallux valgus (which is why I mainly order bespoke nowadays), so in RTW I need to go up in width to accommodate this which leaves some excess space over the vamp. Not as much as you, but in the same direction. Comfort is always most important, and my Artista are really comfy, and if the leather would have been less good it would crease really ugly, now no such problems just that a bit deeper recess due to how they fit.

Thanks @j ingevaldsson, appreciate your reply (and knowledge)! From what I see, I do totally agree that the construction and finishing on these is absolutely A grade; better than my C&J Handgrade in some respects if I must say it myself. Hence I was drawn to these to begin with.

As much as I prefer and like a well constructed shoe, the leather quality and the way creasing develops is of as much importance to me. My C&J Handgrade leather is soft and supple (well to me anyway as I haven’t ventured out much, still early days for me), and exhibits beautiful creasing, which I like as it adds character and is only natural to develop. What I don’t like, even more so now since I have gotten into quality leather shoes, is harsh/coarse looking creasing (looking at my Florsheim pair in comparison ). But it seems like the general consensus is that the leather quality of the Artista line is decent.

Do you know if there is any, albeit slight, difference between the leather quality of the Museum Calf and Vegano? As in if one is more supple/soft than the other, and may crease slightly better..? Although I am not a big fan of the museum finish (a bit patchy for my liking), the burgundy one is not as pronounced (and could even be made more uniform using a Saphir cream polish...or am I wrong?) and I could opt for that if that is the case. Also, it seems slightly darker which would be my preference as well.

Thanks again buddy!

EDIT - Would you happen to have a comparison picture of the Vegano vs Museum burgundy calf (unedited if possible)?


That makes sense.. Thanks

As I usually say, give TLB a go, you’ll likely won’t be disappointed!

Both are nice and supple, but would say that Vegano is a bit cleaner overall, so for you I would choose Vegano. Colour is a bit darker on museum, but batches vary (as with all leather) so some cases they are more or less identical. If you polish Vegano burgundy with black cream and waxes, ideally mixed with burgundy and navy, the shade will darken nicely and you’ll get a beautiful depth.

Have no comparison pick available, can sort when at the Skolyx office again next week (if I remember ? ).

 

[MrBoombastic]

Thanks @j ingevaldsson! I think I am kinda leaning towards giving it a try, and would opt for Vegano if I do end up going ahead. Thanks for the suggestion regarding the polish colours, although I am a bit hesitant to the fancy concoction lol (haven’t mixed/played with polish colours before). I may try with a little bit of black and (more) burgundy as I have them at hand rather than getting a new navy for which I wont have any use for. Or who knows, I may like the colour as it is

Appreciate your advice buddy, it certainly is helpful!

As I usually say, give TLB a go, you’ll likely won’t be disappointed!

Both are nice and supple, but would say that Vegano is a bit cleaner overall, so for you I would choose Vegano. Colour is a bit darker on museum, but batches vary (as with all leather) so some cases they are more or less identical. If you polish Vegano burgundy with black cream and waxes, ideally mixed with burgundy and navy, the shade will darken nicely and you’ll get a beautiful depth.

Have no comparison pick available, can sort when at the Skolyx office again next week (if I remember ? ).

 

[Andrew0409]

Have to show off this lovely Artista adelaide, hard to think these are shoes at only €425 (incl VAT)...

View attachment 1246141

Just to confirm, are these the ones shown here? https://www.skolyx.se/en/shoes/651-45793-tlb-artista-adelaide-vegano-brown.html#/70-size-39_uk_5

This is exactly what I'm looking for.

 

[j ingevaldsson]

Just to confirm, are these the ones shown here? https://www.skolyx.se/en/shoes/651-45793-tlb-artista-adelaide-vegano-brown.html#/70-size-39_uk_5

This is exactly what I'm looking for.

Yep those are the ones. Love them. $378 excl. VAT including shipping for you guys outside EU. A steal.

 

[Andrew0409]

Yep those are the ones. Love them. $378 excl. VAT including shipping for you guys outside EU. A steal.

Great, will be my next purchase. I am just starting out, so got 1 black cap toe for formal business, and need a brown for semi formal/casual. I would also like some semi brogues in light brown, will you guys every stock those for the artista line? I only see black and darker brown colors except for 1 mid brown. If not, how long does MTO take?

 

[j ingevaldsson]

Great, will be my next purchase. I am just starting out, so got 1 black cap toe for formal business, and need a brown for semi formal/casual. I would also like some semi brogues in light brown, will you guys every stock those for the artista line? I only see black and darker brown colors except for 1 mid brown. If not, how long does MTO take?

Cool. Sounds like a good startup plan.

No plan to stock tan semi brogue no. Delivery time for MTO is usually 6-8 weeks, sometimes even faster than that. For you outside EU price is $442 excl. VAT incl. shipping, so less than what we pay for RTW, you lucky bastards ?

 

[Patrick1053]

Can anyone share some sizing advice between Carmina and TLB Mallorca? The Alen last in size 10 E(not the standard F) fits me well. Also, they are made in the artista style so the waist and heel are cut close. I have a low instep which is the only problem for me with the alen last. I have tried size 10 on the Carmina Rain last, but it was to big (to much space in the instep and a heel slip) What last and size would you recommend for Carmina?

 

[Liam.C]

Can anyone share some sizing advice between Carmina and TLB Mallorca? The Alen last in size 10 E(not the standard F) fits me well. Also, they are made in the artista style so the waist and heel are cut close. I have a low instep which is the only problem for me with the alen last. I have tried size 10 on the Carmina Rain last, but it was to big (to much space in the instep and a heel slip) What last and size would you recommend for Carmina?

Seems you have narrower feet and lower instep. Carmina's Simpson last might be worth trying.
TLB's Alan has pretty generous instep. My instep is high and Alan fits comfortably.

 

[Liam.C]

Buy a pair of TLB (or other regular priced shoes), get 10 Patine socks for free guys!
I just placed my order. And as a non-EU customer, VAT was removed for me of course

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[wurger]

Buy a pair of TLB (or other regular priced shoes), get 10 Patine socks for free guys!
I just placed my order. And as a non-EU customer, VAT was removed for me of course

Patine shoes. Exclusive men's classic shoes. Goodyear Welted.

Exclusive men's classic shoes. Goodyear Welted.

patine.shoes

That’s an awesome deal