Loake Shoemakers
A pair of Goodyear Welted Loake shoes can take up to eight weeks to make. Some 130 skilled craftsmen, up to 75 shoes parts and over 200 different operations are involved.
History
Some of the most exquisite gentlemen’s shoes are still being made in England and they come with an inspiring degree of history too. It makes the purchase of a pair of traditional English shoes much more than a mere new footwear addition. Behind many English footwear brands lies an almost unparalleled level of craftsmanship, and a commitment to producing such high quality products that it can only be bore from a business with a strong, proud family heritage.
This is certainly the case for Loake Shoemakers. Still, to this day, Loake shoes are made in the original factory it was founded in in Kettering, Northamptonshire. The family-run shoemakers have hand-crafted their traditional English shoes since 1894 when three brothers, John, Thomas and William, first established the now premium footwear brand.
Loake’s contribution to the war effort also left a mark on British military history. Manufacturing Terrain boots, Convalescent boots and Despatch Riders boots, as well as producing immeasurable quantities of Cossack boots for the Russian army in the Great War, Loake continued to offer their services from 1939-45 when around 2,500 pairs of screwed and stitched boots were distributed per week.
Today
Of course, things move on, and the Loake business has expanded. The company, which has passed through 5 generations in the Loake family, now design and produce a range of shoes outside the UK using a variety of constructions, and opened their very first shop as recently as 2011, right in the heart of London.
Loake shoes are also now in collaboration with Arsenal football club, involved as part of the official formalwear package being worn by the first team squad and manager Arsene Wenger on selected Club appearances, including all home matches in the Barclay’s Premier League and UEFA Champions League.
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