The process behind Bespoke: Basting - Vol.1

The process of creating bespoke shoes involves steps that shape a feeling that cannot be measured numerically. At Yuki Shirahama Bottier, we emphasize the "basting (trial shoe)" process, which is key to this. Through two basting sessions, we create a pair of shoes that most naturally fit each customer's feet.

We are Shirahama and Murayoshi from Yuki Shirahama Bottier. In this content, we will regularly deliver columns about our shoemaking and the charm of bespoke shoes. This time, we will introduce trial shoes. At Yuki Shirahama Bottier, we call trial shoes "仮縫い" (karinui), or "basting," so we will refer to them as "basting" throughout the text below.

Yuki Shirahama Bottier specializes in making bespoke shoes. Therefore, when customers place an order, we take their foot measurements during their first visit. Yuki Shirahama himself, who designs the shoe last, measures even the finest details, ensuring the optimal fitting.

The shoe last, tailored to each customer's foot, is created using these measurements. However, this does not complete a bespoke shoe. The tactile sensation on the foot, walking habits that cannot be seen with just numbers... shoe fitting preferences vary widely from person to person. The basting process plays the role of bridging this gap and, as the word "bespoke" literally suggests, making fine adjustments through repeated dialogue with the customer.

Yuki Shirahama Bottier's basting process has three main features:

・Generally, two basting sessions are conducted.
・By using a resin trial shoe for the first session, we rationally improve the compatibility between the shoe last and the customer's foot.
・In the second session, we meticulously confirm the design and walking comfort with a leather trial shoe.

The first two points, in particular, are very important to Yuki Shirahama Bottier for improving shoe fitting. In Columns Vol. 2 and 3, we will delve deeper into resin trial shoes and leather trial shoes and introduce the charm of bespoke shoes.

The Process Supporting Bespoke - Basting - Vol.2
The Process Supporting Bespoke - Basting - Vol.3

Written by
Yuki Shirahama Bottier
Yuki Shirahama
Asami Murayoshi