Multi-colored shoes seem to be the thing this year, at least they are at Edward Green which is for the first time in recent memory making an effort to market its products. This may be because that venerable firm has finally decided that remaining invisible while the upstarts in its market get all the attention is not the best business but whatever the reason it is good to see what I consider the best of the Northampton shoemakers join the conversation.
Now I will say that when it comes to this "best" thing that I have not actually seen Alfred Sargent's recent production. But, without question, Edward Green continues to have the broadest set of models, features, leathers and colors of the Northampton makers and a production quality that is with John Lobb (Paris) one of the two best that I have laid my eyes on.
At any rate, as I wrote, EG's new thing appears to be color. The firm collaborated with design firm Hardy Amies to produce four models in a palette of blues, greys and burgundies that are available at Edward Green's Jermyn Street shop in London as well as on display at the Amies studio on Savile Row. They include (from back to front in the photo) a version of the Chelsea in burgundy and slate; the Shannon boot in either midnight and twilight, burgundy and old rose, or slate and black; a Picadilly slip-on in three tones of either blue or slate; and a Falkirk in either midnight blue and twilight or slate and black.
I for one am glad to see them making an effort.
Photo: Edward Green
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4 comments:
I for one think that Edward Green is one of the best makers as well. In fact there is a rumor that Brooks Brothers will be carrying a few select styles of EG this year. But, I have also found that Barker Black makes a beautiful and well made shoe as well for a bit less than the price of the Edward Green brand.
Yes, they make excellent shoes. I have nine pair. Take the following with a grain of salt, and perhaps lime and tequila, for I probably don’t know what I’m talking about. But not sure color and tie in with a design firm is smart marketing. Make what you make best already, but also make them easier to get, for those that don't go bespoke. Too few stores carry them. MTO is a bit of a black hole and gamble. In my uninformed view, their competitors are attacking market by making their shoes easier to buy round the world, not by making them in unconventional colors. Let ASW sell them, for example, without the condition of brick and mortar. Sizing matters or other issues about protecting their reputation, which may drive the imposition of that type condition, don't seem to hurt other English makers.
EG are making an effort? Really?! Where?!
Their website, for one, remains frustratingly oblique, as always. Very odd.
I'll take Cleverley, G&G, Foster, and C&J over EG any day.
EG make the best non bespoke shoes available. Period. Although a life long devotee of Church's as was my father I've always recognized Ed Green was a notch up and have a few pairs. I'm bound to say I agree with the comments of JC, a few colors aren't going to transform them (essentially it's a gimmick. Distribution is the issue. If they want to really expand their business they just need lots more points of
sale POS). It would be a great move to get someone like BB, Bergdorf, Barneys or Paul Stuart to carry them as an EG branded line.
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