Zich Lloyd Derby

Michael Iconic Pirates

Michael on Little Collins street wearing a pair of classic black leather Vivienne Westwood pirate boots. Made in England, this classic design was first produced by Vivienne Westwood in 1981.

Duckie Brown Beaded Wingtip

Vlad was photographed outside the Festival Of Steve - An event celebrating Melbourne's Modern Man that took part at The Kelvin Club last weekend. We couldn't pass up the opportunity to get a shot of his Florsheim by Duckie Brown beaded leather brogues. These grained black leather wingtip derby's feature a medallion toe and woven multicolor beading detail, finished on a leather sole.

Rob Timberland Originals

Robert Mahogany Loake

Dean in Zara Man

We're not sure how we feel about the arrival in Melbourne of retail behemoths Zara, TopShop and soon H&M.  On the one hand they feed a flawed retail model of landlords incentivising major clients to drive property values up, which works against our vibrant independant fashion community.  On the other hand, they make fashion fast, fun and digestible to even the most conservative palate. It gives us no excuse not to step out looking like we've made and effort. Hopefully today's Zara customer is down at P.Johnson next year ordering his custom blazer because he understands how well great pieces work.   Dean's jacket is actually what caught our eye on this sunny Melbourne afternoon, but he's made his funky little Zara patent oxford work pretty well too.

Stephen Saba Toe Cap

Beau Globe Desert Boot

 

One of the oft forgotten facts of Melbourne footwear is that we have our very own global shoe company right here in our backyard.  Perhaps not a darling of the mainstream, but ask any authentic skater where they rate Globe in the footwear landscape and you'll hear a different slant on things.  Globe produced one or two of the biggest selling skate shoes of all time, and continue to support Melbourne's grass roots skaters, artists and musicians.  Doesn't hurt that they also have one of the best indoor skate ramps in the country at their Port Melbourne head office.  Helps keep the Shoemakers' photographers hanging around anyway.

Charlie Yuketen Moc

Henley by the Doctor

 

Photography student Brian on The Walk, Melbourne CBD, wearing the Henley lace-up from Dr Martens' 'refined' range.

Guy's McNairy Derby

Sheldon Brogue Boot

Barry Humphries in Grenson

Sometimes the stars align - Your path crosses with a stylish gentleman, he's wearing a fine pair of Grenson Dylan's in Cobalt Suede, you ask to take his picture, he agrees & he just so happens to be Barry Humphries. One of Melbourne's most iconic (& sylish) figures, the former Dame Edna character actor was an absolute delight to shoot despite suffering from serious jetlag.

C.J. Contrast McNairy

A couple of the Shoemakers team managed to get themselves to Europe for the winter trade shows this January.  One of the highlights of the Capsule shows was the 'return' of Mark McNairy footwear.  Taking a little bit of Sweeney, a little bit of Thom Browne, McNairy managed to take his already unique footwear style to a whole new level.  Look out for it at Sole Devotion Melbourne www.soledevotion.com in the months ahead.

Dane Country Road Classic

Chis in Lobb Double Monks

 

The north side of Melbourne is probably better known for its workshops and local craftsmanship than for high end luxury goods, but a recent addition to Smith Street in Fitzroy might just be bridging that gap.  Bringing a little bit of Collins Street (and a lot of London) to the north side, brothers Nick and Chris Schaerf have re-set the footwear bar in Australia with the opening of their footwear boutique Doublemonk (www.doublemonk.com.au).   Happy to help us footwear mortals into the 'Aston Martins of footwear', the boys practice what they preach. Co-founder Chris Schaerf in an equisite pair of John Lobb monkstraps.

Bradford Full English

We photographed Bradford wearing a pair of striking buckled boots by quintessentially British footwear  label Jeffery West.

Born and bred in Northampton, the historical centre of the British shoemaking and leather industries, childhood friends Mark Jeffery and Guy West began their career in shoemaking at the age of 16. Jeffery West imbue their brand with the craftsmanship, quality, and pedigree available in having shoes manufactured in Northampton using traditional techniques, while  putting their own slant on design. Being influenced & inspired by a swath of British swashbucklers, wits &  hell raisers (such Keith Richards, Oliver Reed, Peter O’Toole, Brian Jones & Richard Burton, who give their names to Jeffery West's styles) - you couldn't come across a more Rock 'n' Roll footwear brand.

David Vintage Handmades

Robbie Hudson Boat

RM Allrounder

The The beauty of Melbourne is in the intimacy of the city and the colour and personality we seem to kick out of such a small space.  As much as we have worked hard to capture the style of the city's men and all this fantastic footwear hitting our shores, sometimes it's good to be reminded that a well-cut pair of RM's and decent 'give-a-fuck' attitude has always been a cornerstone of Melbourne's culture.  Magnificantly done.  Still one of the best shoemakers on the block.  www.rmwilliams.com.au