carréducker Bespoke Shoemakers

Deborah Carré and James Ducker

The venerable craft of English handsewn shoemaking dates from the 15th Century and remains little changed to the present day. Here at carréducker, the leather uppers are stretched over bespoke lasts using pliers; the welts and soles are stitched using waxed, twisted hemp threads; the heels are hand built layer by layer; and the shoes are finished using a rasp, glass and sandpaper and a warm iron. Finally the shoes are polished, boxed and delivered.

Shoemakers, also known as cordwainers or ‘snobs’, learn their craft as apprentices. We both completed a three-year apprenticeship under the watchful eye of an English master shoemaker over 15 years ago. Now we work at our own low bench in the ‘goldfish bowl’ at 1 Savile Row. Each pair of carréducker shoes takes over 50 hours to make and involves hundreds of highly skilled steps, using only hand-held tools.

Commissioning a pair of handsewn bespoke shoes from us is a collaborative experience and we will give you our best advice every step of the way. Here at our workshop at Gieves & Hawkes we hold the initial consultation, take measurements, design each pair of shoes on the last, hold fittings and finally finish the shoes by hand. We work with the best quality materials using the finest oak bark tanned cow hides from Devon for the insoles, soles and heels; and the highest grade box calf and exotics for the uppers.

Bespoke shoes are the perfect accompaniment to bespoke tailoring. Complete your wardrobe…call us on 020 7432 6428 to make your appointment, visit our website to put together your own shoe wish list or visit our blog to find out more about our courses and the craft of handsewn shoemaking.