Why Bespoke Dress Shoes Are So Expensive | So Expensive | Business Insider

Handmade bespoke dress shoes take months to make. Shoemakers transform rough measurements of a customer's feet into a one-of-a-kind shoe. One pair can cost over £5,000. London has been a hub for shoemaking for centuries, and while the industry has shrunk over time, an increase in demand from Japan and the US has helped to reignite interest in this craft. So, why would someone buy bespoke dress shoes? And what makes them so expensive?

Intro - 0:00
Handmade Bespoke Shoes - 0:33
Making The Last - 1:11
Famous Lasts - 2:20
Leather - 2:59
The Upper - 3:50
Making The Sole - 4:38
Welting - 5:41
Finishing - 6:25
Shoemaking Industry - 7:13
Credits - 8:10

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Why Bespoke Dress Shoes Are So Expensive | So Expensive | Insider Business

[DarioVidili]

I was so happy when I saw that young people were working on the shoes. It's refreshing to a see a trade that isn't dying every once and a while. I also feel like the business of making custom, luxury items will always have it's place.

[aca]

I started making shoes a couple of years ago (I'm 41 now). My grandfather was a shoemaker and I remember him making his own shoes. I always kept those images in my mind like a photograph, waiting to do it someday. And that day came when I made the decision to start. It has been one of the best decisions I have made. I have found a different and fascinating world. Today it is my way of escaping from routine and stress. Greetings from Chile to whoever reads this message.

[alvinkoeswanto]

My dad purchased a pair of bespoke shoe from Japanese shoemaker 20 years ago. Recently, they got a resole from a local cobbler and they look like brand new. I believe something like these could last a lifetime or maybe more.

[lyricsornah]

You have to pay for the work they put into it and not just the materials

[Hp-dghe]

My dad was a shoemaker and as a child, I would sit and watch him do exactly what these guys are doing.

[wunkskorks]

What a good video. I really appreciate these videos that show people who love what they do. It’s not them bragging or selling themselves, it’s people who just love a thing and are excited to share it with whoever is interested.

[gauravclient]

I own a pair of bespoke ones and I can tell you it’s not even worth discussing the difference between two. First look itself tells that they aren’t your regular off the shelf shoes. Only downside of bespoke is you can’t go back to mass market ones 🙂

[TimersAndMore]

The craftsmanship of these shoemakers is just awesome to see, from the moment they measure the foot to the moment you see the finished product.

[burobu]

I am fortunate to not only be a young new shoemaker making my way in the trade but have the opportunity to work in a leather tannery. Surrounded all day by fascinating things. I've been studying shoe making and making pairs for over a year now. Absolutely love it.

I hope one day to make my shoes known in this world.

[DonLee]

You may say a bespoke shoe costs a lot of money, but the amount of skilled work hours of an experienced shoe maker, is definitely going to be much higher than say the effort of a designer hand bag that is made to be identical to each that is made on the production factory.

[MrBitviper]

it's worth the price considering the long lifetime of the shoes
amazing to see such craftsmanship is still going strong

[theUrbanJoe]

These are like Stradivarius of shoes. Few can buy but the world is better for the excellence! I greatly admire the dedication to craft and art involved. Plus, these shoes show great honor for the human being.

[alanc]

Outside of Europe, Japan also has amazing bespoke makers. The level of craftsmanship over there is crazy. Blind waist and no heel rand. I wish I had the money.

[curtekstrom]

35 years ago I bought my last pair of Custom Handmade Snake skin Cowboy boots from a Family in Mexico. Shortly after the Father died and his Sons didn't want to make boots anymore. I bought 5 pairs from them when they were open. The best fitting Boots ever.

[jmfa]

Thank goodness that younger people are taking an interest in such wonderful trades as this. I doubt at my age that I will ever be able to justify the expense of a bespoke shoe... but even us old geezers can dream, and we can sure look with pride and admiration at the succeeding generations. GREAT video, THANK YOU!

[stephanieyee]

It is really wonderful that young people are turning back towards bespoke last and shoe making. This is a career for a lifetime. It would be hugely gratifying to go through the whole process and have your customers literally walking away happy.

[thaatsriight]

It’s amazing how few shoes actually are designed to fit a human foot…

[yiqingtan]

My left and right feet are not the same size so buying shoes has always be a real pain and hassle. I have always wished I could buy one side in one size and the other in another size.

I also have mild scoliosis (backbone is not straight). It's not really noticeable but I realized it does affect my walk.

Because of these two things, my right shoes always spoil/ruin/break before my left shoe and I'm always having to buy new shoes which has become a chore, not an enjoyable experience any more.

I can't afford something like the shoes in this video but it makes me think that maybe getting some shoes tailored (cobblered?) to me would save me a lot of grief and hassle.

[suntzu]

Beautiful. The precision and craftsmanship of bespoke shoes are truly something to behold. Glad that the industry's seen a "revival" in recent years. Not sure I'm ready to plop down the money for a pair of bespoke shoes over a pair of ready-to-wear from a "designer" shoemaker, but I can definitely see the allure for some with deeper pockets.

[Florentine]

🥺🥺🥺this is the most beautiful shoe making i have ever seen that i cannot afford... but respect so much respect