Perry Ercolino is one of only two world class bespoke shoemakers that I'm aware of in America. He's located rather unexpectedly in Bucks County, outside of Philadelphia, but Ercolino's work could as easily originate in London. His monkstrap shoes in particular are special.
Like the London makers, Ercolino uses soles from Germany's Joh. Rendenbach Jr. tannery and his uppers come from Europe's best sources. The raw materials and sixty hours of hand crafting combine to make a finished product priced at $3,600 a pair.
Interestingly, Ercolino also offers handmade shoes on a standard last, a service he calls "Custom Measure." At $2,600 for a pair, it's more expensive than the demi-measure service by Paris' Dmitri Gomez but still good value for men who can get a proper fit that way.
Ercolino's location need not be a barrier as he takes appointments each Wednesday at tailor Leonard Logsdail's Manhattan rooms on East 53rd Street.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
The Pennsylvania Shoemaker
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4 comments:
All of a sudden I like monk-straps again. Very sharp looking. I had not heard of this fellow before - although at one time I lived in Philly.
Who is the other world class bespoke shoemaker in America? Do you consider any American tailors bespoke work world class? As always, thanks a bunch for your wonderful articles.
Vincent & Edgar in New York makes very good shoes.
I know of about half a dozen world class tailors in the U.S. Among the few that are taking new clients is Chris Despos in Chicago, who I know only by reputation.
A craftsman like that in my home state. Who would have thought? Nice looking shoes too! Someday I will successfully rationalize to myself paying $3600 for a pair of bespoke. However, I keep thinking that the marginal quality improvement of shoes in that price range must be extremely subtle indeed. The most I've ever paid for a pair of dress shoes was about $500. Would I really notice an additional $3100 of quality in bespoke over my $500 pair? I have never been able to provide myself with an answer to that question.
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