The Making of My Bespoke John Lobb Shoes | A Journey Through Shoemaking History | Kirby Allison

In Episode 4 of our John Lobb series, our journey continues as we arrive at one of the most critical stages in bespoke shoemaking: the making. With the bespoke last complete and the uppers expertly closed, the shoes are now ready to be lasted, welted, and soled, which are collectively known as the "making." This is where the shoes finally take their final shape. This is where the "maker" takes over—an artisan whose job it is to bring all the components together into a single, cohesive whole. The uppers are stretched and nailed over the bespoke last, the welt is stitched entirely by hand, and the various layers of leather that form the insole, outsole, and heel are built up and shaped. This tradition, where the shoes are made entirely by hand, stretches back well over 200 years and, largely, remains unchanged. It is one of the romantic links to the past and is a "living history." John Lobb is one of the only remaining shoemakers where every single stage of this process is still done by hand, using techniques that have remained unchanged for generations. Join us as we witness the extraordinary patience, precision, and artistry involved in turning a collection of separate parts into a single, wearable work of art. 📽 WATCH OUR OTHER JOHN LOBB VIDEOS 0️⃣ Inside the Original John Lobb: https://youtu.be/pc_TsO2lfUk 1️⃣ My First Commission: https://youtu.be/uQv1AGx4TLE 2️⃣ Upper Making: https://youtu.be/xIlEn4zKJrY 3️⃣ Preparation of Rough Stuff: https://youtu.be/cG2hRSE4aaE 🔁