Every pair of shoes or boots is hand made individually to the customer's requirements - they are all bespoke. This is a lengthy process resulting in a waiting list of between six and nine months. In the 21st century, when customers expect faster delivery than ever before, here exists a time warp, where hand skills are used in preference to machines, materials are selected for one individual customer rather than purchased in bulk, quality takes precedence over cost, and the time taken to complete an order is as long as necessary.
Footwear is made on a last - a form usually made from wood.
Different styles of footwear are made on different shaped lasts. Different toe shapes and heel heights all require different types of lasts, and of course the last has to be fitted to the customers measurements so knowledge of the anatomy of the foot and its relationship to the last is essential. They may be very heavy leather sewn together with hand made flax thread, or they may be made from silk or wool, and finely hand stitched with silk thread. A knowledge of the way in which each type of material performs is vital to this process. The bottoming consists of insoles, soles, and heel lifts.