The high end Chinese Shoe Thread

[clee1982]

Hi guys, just a reminder that ACME Shoemaker, Yearn Shoemaker, Bridlen, and a number of other brands will be at the New York trunk show organised by The Shoe Snob, Shoe Gazing, and Kirby Allison:
View attachment 2241511

A few of the team from Arterton will also be there to support our three brands, and we hope to see many of you there.

when does it start and when does it end

 

[kid1002]

Going to MTO a pair of cap toe oxfords from Badia. Received a pair of ready-to-wear shoes in size 41 for try-on.

Here is how their -1 Last (classic round toe last) compare to the John Lobb City II's 7000 Last in 6.5 EE.

Fit wise they feel very similar. No complaints.

 

[clee1982]

so did anyone go to the trunk show in NY, wasn't able to make it, too many kids duty...

 

[kid1002]

Completed MTO from Aria Badia.

Cap-toe oxfords made in Bonaudo crust leather and hand patinaed into mid brown.

The fit is great in general. Leather quality is also beyond my expectations.

 

[prof.contingency]

The ELegant Oxford just dropped another shoe review -- this time on ACME!

 

[kid1002]

My recent completed commission -- a pair of slip-on monks from Badia in brown Zonta calf.



I specifically asked Badia to make my shoes out of what's left from what their owner, Dao, used for the 2024 World Championship of Shoemaking (see below).

Link to article by The Shoesnob: https://theshoesnobblog.com/world-championships-of-bespoke-shoemaking-2024-the-top-ten/

Obviously the last of my commission is completely different from the last of the shoes Badia won 3rd place in the competition was made out of, but I love the subtlety and elegance of Badia's lasts in general.

Unlike many of its local counterparts, Badia as a brand doesn't do aggressively flashy lasts. At least not yet, and that's partially why I like Badia.

 

[shirtingfantasy]

Let’s play “guess the brand”? 🤓

Background

An emerging brand based in Mainland China asked @shirtingfantasy / XHS:何生今年再買鞋 to give some comment on their shoes and sent two review pairs.

The pairs would be sent back to the brand after review, to maintain impartiality.

Some teasers attached.

 

[shirtingfantasy]

The most eye-catching part, however, is the luxury packaging - finally something decent from a non-Japanese maker:



Reposted from @shirtingfantasy / 何生今年再買鞋 XHS account. All photos my own.

 

[clee1982]

Price range/construction spec?

p.s. I do like the almond toe last on the oxford

 

[shirtingfantasy]

Price range/construction spec?

p.s. I do like the almond toe last on the oxford

Handwelted, machine + hand sole and finishing. They said they prefer to focus on the overall look and package, instead of the amount of handmade features, so they may actually move to Goodyear as volume goes up later. A refreshing take from the budding Asian makers, IMHO.

The most intriguing bit seems to be the designer though: purportedly, the respected Yim is their creative director and main designer.

The loafers today (including a side-by-side contrast and comparison with Berluti Blake-stitched “Andy” in the 4th picture):

 

[kid1002]

Oh wow what a blatant ad for 拙履

 

[epsilon22]

Those are nice boxes, I think Fukuda is the only Japanese maker I know that give wooden boxes? Spigola and Yanagimachi only give normal cardboard boxes, the latter doesn't even give shoe bags by default (they offer those zipped pouch shoe bags but way too expensive for shoe bags imo).

 

[shirtingfantasy]

Oh wow what a blatant ad for 拙履

Haha. I have not received any payment from them, in cash or in kind, and will not do so. I will return the shoes (and boxes, and bags, and shoehorns) to them after evaluation.

Acceptable review practice I suppose?

 

[shirtingfantasy]

Those are nice boxes, I think Fukuda is the only Japanese maker I know that give wooden boxes? Spigola and Yanagimachi only give normal cardboard boxes, the latter doesn't even give shoe bags by default (they offer those zipped pouch shoe bags but way too expensive for shoe bags imo).

Many of my enthusiast friends commented that “the best part is probably the box”.

Craftsmanship-wise, not made to the level of Oct Tenth or Jim Jun, not to mention Acme.

 

[shirtingfantasy]

Oh wow what a blatant ad for 拙履

Just to share with you my previous blatant ad for Yearn 🤣

Yearn Shoemaker / SlimShoes / Arterton London: review of a sponsored pair (Part II)

DISCLAIMER No blogger makes this as explicit as @shirtingfantasy: the review pair is received freely from Arterton London via brand owne...

shirtingfantasy.blogspot.com

And Acme

ACME Shoemaker: the UNsponsored review

[2022-01-09: corrected some factual errors (in red) - thank you @ajy_krish and @shellvedge!] ACME (or Acme) shoemaker skin-stitched special ...

shirtingfantasy.blogspot.com

Enjoy high-end Chinese shoes 😊