The process behind Bespoke: Basting - Vol.1

Before a bespoke shoe can be completed, there is a process that embodies a feeling that cannot be measured numerically. At Yuki Shirahama Bottier, we place great importance on the key step of this process, the "trial shoe." Through two trial shoes, we create a pair of shoes that fits each customer's feet in the most natural way.

Yuki Shirahama This is Shirahama and Murayoshi from Bottier.
In the content section, we will regularly deliver columns about our shoemaking and the appeal of bespoke shoes. This time, we will introduce trial shoes. At Yuki Shirahama Bottier, we call trial shoes "fittings," so we will refer to them as "fittings" in the following text.

Yuki Shirahama Bottier specializes in making bespoke shoes. For this reason, we will measure the feet of all customers who place an order during their first visit. Yuki Shirahama, who actually designs the shoe tree, will measure even the smallest details to ensure the best possible fit.

These measurements are used to create a wooden shoe tree that is tailored to each individual customer's feet. However, bespoke shoes are not complete at this stage. Preferences for shoe fitting vary greatly from person to person, depending on the feel of the foot and walking habits that cannot be seen by measurements alone. The fitting process fills in any discrepancies and makes fine adjustments through repeated dialogue with the customer, literally bespoke.

Yuki Shirahama Bottier's basting has the following three features:

Generally, two fittings are carried out.
- By using a resin fitting shoe for the first time, we can rationally improve the fit between the wooden shoe tree and the customer's foot.
-The second time, we will thoroughly check the design and walking comfort using leather fitting shoes.

The first two points in particular are what Yuki Shirahama Bottier considers extremely important when it comes to improving shoe fitting. In the next column, we will delve deeper into resin fitting shoes and leather fitting shoes, and introduce the appeal of bespoke shoes.

Yuki Shirahama Bottier
Shirahama and Murayoshi