Most amazing shoe ever made - WOW!

[Son Of Saphir]

If this shoe was ever entered into the world championships of shoe making, it would clearly win. Nothing in the world compares to this imo, and probably nothing ever will. The difficultly and workmanship of this is on another level. Yes, it is an ugly shoe, but WOW. Not surprisingly, it was made by a Chinese cordwainer. They are called WM1978 Beijing.

For now, here it is, the most amazing shoe ever made. The upper is also completely hand stitched.

More extreme workmanship, but this time Wei goes all out with a seamless wholecut. Have asked him about making me a pair like this on condition he make a trial shoe, but language barrier seems to be a problem, he has not replied.

Will post more photos soon.

 

[JohnMRobie]

Reminiscent of decorative cowboy boots.

 

[comrade]

Is "Hideosity" a word in English?

 

[epsilon22]

If this shoe was ever entered into the world championships of shoe making, it would clearly win. Nothing in the world compares to this imo, and probably nothing ever will. The difficultly and workmanship of this is on another level. Yes, it is an ugly shoe, but WOW. Not surprisingly, it was made by a Chinese cordwainer. They are called WM1978 Beijing.

For now, here it is, the most amazing shoe ever made. The upper is also completely hand stitched. View attachment 2306689 View attachment 2306691

More extreme workmanship, but this time Wei goes all out with a seamless wholecut. Have asked him about making me a pair like this on condition he make a trial shoe, but language barrier seems to be a problem, he has not replied.
View attachment 2306695 View attachment 2306697 View attachment 2306693

Will post more photos soon.

Not something I'd wear (or be able to pull off) but the stitching looks very neat.

 

[Son Of Saphir]

More of the shoe above

He also does intricate boots.

A shoe with a completely hand stitched upper, norvegese construction with a braided stitched sole ala Lattanzi. Would be much more difficult than doing a braided upper because the sole braiding must go through a thick leather sole. Would be willing to bet that braided slipsole goes through to the outsole, if so, that is truly magnificent.

Lattanzi was once the only one who attempted such scary feats, but these days others are copying him. The Lattanzi braided sole below. Wei is also subscribed to Lattanzi's instagram.

 

[Son Of Saphir]

Ridiculous narrow waists

Some of those shoes above don't look too pretty, but the artistry shows what he is capable of. In other words, he can pretty much do anything, the sky is almost the limit. Not such a great antiquing artist though, his strength is shoemaking.

Here is a beautiful norvegese shoe, also with very tidy braided stitching through the soles. Gives the top Italians a run for their money, few can do it like that.

 

[DorianGreen]

More of the shoe above
View attachment 2306919 View attachment 2306917 View attachment 2306915


He also does intricate boots.
View attachment 2306927


A shoe with a completely hand stitched upper, norvegese construction with a braided stitched sole ala Lattanzi. Would be much more difficult than doing a braided upper because the sole braiding must go through a thick leather sole. Would be willing to bet that braided slipsole goes through to the outsole, if so, that is truly magnificent.
View attachment 2306921

Lattanzi was once the only one who attempted such scary feats, but these days others are copying him. The Lattanzi braided sole below. Wei is also subscribed to Lattanzi's instagram.
View attachment 2306929

Undoubtedly it's a fantastic object, but something made to be admired rather than to be worn.

The Norvegese by Lattanzi is highly impressive as well and a more wearable shoe.

 

[Son Of Saphir]

Another rare one, this time by Lattanzi. A double braided bentivegna shoe. I wonder how many of those stitches would go through the outsole.

Another extremely rare version of bentivegna. Looks like norvegese, but it looks to be a double step welt and an inturned upper. Notice how the maker didn't secure the welt to the upper properly with the inseaming, there is a gap between the welt and the upper on the sides. Compare this to the above shoe where it is done properly (no gap for water to get into).

Didn't Lattanzi learn norvegese and bentivegna from an old shoemaker decades ago, anyone know? Didn't he revive it?

 

[DorianGreen]

Another rare one, this time by Lattanzi. A double braided bentivegna shoe. I wonder how many of those stitches would go through the outsole.

View attachment 2306951

Another extremely rare version of bentivegna. Looks like norvegese, but it looks to be a double step welt and an inturned upper.
View attachment 2306949

Didn't Lattanzi learn norvegese and bentivegna from an old shoemaker decades ago, anyone know? Didn't he revive it?

I love the shoe in the first picture, looks so stunning and sturdy. This is something I'd like to own and wear.

 

[epsilon22]

Ridiculous narrow waists
View attachment 2306931 View attachment 2306933


Some of those shoes above don't look too pretty, but the artistry shows what he is capable of. In other words, he can pretty much do anything, the sky is almost the limit. Not such a great antiquing artist though, his strength is shoemaking.

Here is a beautiful norvegese shoe, also with very tidy braided stitching through the soles. Gives the top Italians a run for their money, few can do it like that.
View attachment 2306937

This pair in the last pic is definitely more wearable and not too over the top. I still don't think the chunky looking welts look good with smooth black oxfords, but I can see the welt stitching working well with chukkas or derby boots.

 

[JohnMRobie]

This pair in the last pic is definitely more wearable and not too over the top. I still don't think the chunky looking welts look good with smooth black oxfords, but I can see the welt stitching working well with chukkas or derby boots.

I think those examples are more about shoes as objects, art, and craft for the sake of craft rather than wearability or having a language.

The western boots have a long history of the hand tooling and filigree so the language makes sense. It carries over to belts, saddles, silver smiths with buckles and firearms. It makes them wearable art and keeping craft alive.

Here’s a well used saddle from the 40s

And one from the 80s featuring handmade silver hardware

And one from about 10 years ago featuring filigree as well as basket weave stamping and gold hardware.

 

[NORE]

Is "Hideosity" a word in English?

I definitely invented that word, but the one I would use here is, ornate.

 

[othertravel]

Ridiculous narrow waists
View attachment 2306931 View attachment 2306933


Some of those shoes above don't look too pretty, but the artistry shows what he is capable of. In other words, he can pretty much do anything, the sky is almost the limit. Not such a great antiquing artist though, his strength is shoemaking.

Here is a beautiful norvegese shoe, also with very tidy braided stitching through the soles. Gives the top Italians a run for their money, few can do it like that.
View attachment 2306937

Does this maker sell RTW?

To the point above, I think the extra stitching would look great on a boot.

 

[mhip]

I wish someone would sell the Norvegese stitching on a roll.
And then I could just hot-glue gun it onto my Common Projects...

 

[Keyser_Söze]

I could see a Triad boss pulling these off.