This week we are featuring the Pierre Corthay Arca along with our new Borsalino straw hat in ebony and natural, and one of the finely hand carved Abbeyhorn shoe horns, set against the backdrop of a Psycho Bunny silk and cotton bandanna.

We received three new Borsalino hats today. The Borsalino’s have been very popular largely due to the fact that we look for hats that are both sophisticated and unique.

In addition to the styles below click here to see the other hats we have in stock.

Linen Cap in Gray Hounds Tooth with Red Piping (Sold Out)

Straw Ebony and Beige Short Brim

Cotton Cap in Brown Plaid with Mesh Lining

At our last visit with Edward Green we were introduced to a small-proposed ladies collection that are to be made in their factory in Northampton England which allows them to control all aspects of production. As with all Edward Green products quality and craftsmanship are paramount.

The first pair to arrive is this Ladies Shannon boot that is in the try on stage. This pair is for my wife who requested a red lining, which I think, is an excellent choice. Since we didn’t know her U.K. size she was measured and had a drawing of her feet made by Hilary Freeman Managing Director of EG.

The Ladies Shannon on the EX94 Last in Black Calf with Red Lining.

The drawing on the plastic at the ball of the shoe is where they need to be adjusted for a more comfortable fit. I will post them again once they’re finished, as well as this pair of Men’s Shannon’s which will be Dark Oak.

As promised here are three recent Arca MTO’s we received for our very good client in PA.

Arca Black Calf with Canary Yellow Piping 001 Last

Arca Eggplant 001 Last

Arca Black Calf with Granny Apple Green Piping 001 Last

We’ve recently received some MTO’s from Pierre Corthay. Arca MTO’s to follow.

The Wilfrid on the 001 Last in Black Calf and Burgundy Calf

The Wilfrid on the 001 Last in Black Calf and Black Suede

Vendome on the 001 Last in Olive Calf with Brown Patina

A soldier is a nobody; we hear lots of people say.
He is the outcast of the world and always in the way.

We admit there are bad ones from the Army to the Marines,
But the majority you will find, the most worthy ever seen.

Most people condemn the soldier when he stops to take a drink or two,
But does a soldier condemn you, when you stop to take a few.

Now don’t scorn the soldier but clasp him by the hand,
For the uniform he wears means protection to our land.

The government picks its soldier from the million far and wide,
So please place him as your equal good buddies side by side.

When a soldier goes to battle you cheer him on the way,
You say he is a hero when in the ground he lay.

But the hardest battle of the soldier is in the time of peace,
When all mock and scorn him and treat him like a beast.

With these few lines we close sir, we hope we don’t offend
But when you meet a soldier just treat him like a friend.

“Author Unknown”

Leffot will be closed Monday May 25th in observance of Memorial Day.

We encourage you to remember those who gave their lives in the service of the U.S. military, and the families they have left behind.

New to Leffot are these exquisite shoehorns produced in the U.K. by Abbeyhorn, which has been making horn products sine 1749. We now have in stock shoehorns hand crafted from African Oxen* using the same methods of manufacturing that hasn’t changed in centuries.

The process requires considerable skill of the horn worker from the first cut of the horn to ensure that the resultant shoehorn becomes a much-cherished item.

Leffot is currently stocking three sizes 7.5, 12, 18 inches all of which are unique in color, extremely lightweight and incredibly beautiful.

Displayed here with the Corthay Arca. Shoehorns priced at $35, $70, and $105.

*No animals are ever killed solely for the horn; they are a by-product of the meat industry.

During his visit to Leffot for our trunk show this past December, Pierre Corthay sat down with Jocelyn Anderson of the Footwear News for a 10 question interview.

10 Questions for Pierre Corthay

by Jocelyn Anderson, Monday May 18, 2009

Pierre Corthay

Men’s shoemaker Pierre Corthay is the master.

So says the French government, which gave Corthay the lifetime title of maître d’art, or master of art, at the end of 2008. Each year, the award is given to honor native artisans for their expertise and talent in their fields. “The government pays attention to the craftsmen, people who have special know-how. I was very proud,” said Corthay.

The designer started almost 30 years ago at the age of 16 through a program in France where students spend six years traveling and learning their trade. From there, he worked for John Lobb and Berluti, before starting his own men’s bespoke label in 1990. In 2003, Corthay set up his own workshop near Paris to create a ready-to-wear line of men’s shoes. “The philosophy was to introduce part of our handcrafted spirit into the manufacturing,” Corthay said. “Every detail is made as it is in the bespoke.”

These days, Corthay sells about 2,500 ready-to-wear pairs each year and 130 bespoke pairs. Ready-to-wear is priced between 850 euros and 1,000 euros, or $1,155 to $1,360, while bespoke shoes cost 3,000 euros to 6,000 euros, or $4,080 to $8,165. The wait time for bespoke is about three months, compared with four weeks for ready-to-wear.

The line is carried in three exclusive Pierre Corthay shops in Japan, as well as in boutiques throughout Europe. Footwear News recently caught up with Corthay at his only U.S. retailer, Leffot, in New York.

1. Are men embracing bold statements right now?

PC: When I started my company roughly 20 years ago, we only made [shoes in] black, light-brown, dark-brown and suede. Men were still very conventional. Perhaps six or seven years ago, it began to [change]. The fashion of men is more feminine now. They can wear colors more easily than before.

2. What is your philosophy when it comes to color in men’s shoes?

PC: Color is not just a nice red or a nice blue. It’s important to find the right combination because a color only exists with another one. It can be more interesting if you put another color beside it. This is one of the most interesting parts of my job — to find proportion and the nice combination.

3. Why was it important for you to make ready-to-wear on your own?

PC: It’s very difficult to control where your product goes and how it is done. And I am a bit psychotic about the quality and the detail. We tried a few partnerships that didn’t work, and finally, we made about 60 pairs of bespoke golf shoes for an American man who was starting a golf club. He gave me a wire transfer of around 150,000 euros. We invested all the money in [starting our own factory]. It’s like a fairy tale.

4. Did you hope to reach different customers with the ready-to-wear?

PC: That was the idea from the beginning: to open the brand to the world. Now, we have about 25 sales points in the world. It’s small, but little by little, [we are growing]. And we don’t have any group behind us. It’s a very exciting story, in fact, because I work with my brother who is now in charge of bespoke. Because Christopher is with me, we can do this.

5. Did you plan to grow slowly?

PC: Yes, we don’t want to anticipate too much on the commercial side. So of course, it’s slower, but it’s much more secure. Tomorrow, if we have an order of 500 pairs, I don’t know how we could do it. I’m very conscious about this. It’s possible to maintain the quality, but you can’t do it tomorrow. You have to hire good people, to form them. It takes time.

6. What is the biggest challenge for you right now?

PC: In our business, it’s growing and maintaining the quality. [Finding skilled workers] is a very difficult thing. Also, we have a small manufacturing space — 5,400 square feet and 10 people. We could hire 20 more people if we wanted to, but then you begin to have more problems.

7. Why did Bergdorf Goodman recently stop carrying your brand?

PC: The problem was that the currency between the euro and the U.S. dollar was so hard during the last six months that we could not afford to deliver shoes at the same dollar price. So we increased the price, and they accepted it the first time, but the second time they stopped. … The product works very well there, so I hope to [work something out].

8. You have three branded stores in Japan. Is that a growing market for you?

PC: It’s probably the market that makes us grow the most. But it’s [difficult] because all the competitors are there, even the man who makes five pairs in Uzbekistan — he sells one pair in Japan. It’s a very special country. It’s our biggest market in addition to France.

9. Who is your most memorable customer?

PC: The Sultan of Brunei. His assistant called me [in 1993] and said, “My boss would like to meet you. Can you come to London?” I arrived, went to a hotel, called a number — it was like James Bond. I felt like I was on a secret mission. I didn’t know for whom I came. The first order was for 45 pairs. [Altogether], we made about 140 pairs of bespoke shoes for him over about two-and-a-half years. But the funny thing is, each time I met him, he received me in Nike sneakers, T-shirts and shorts.

10. What are your goals for the near future?

PC: I would like to study how to develop a ladies’ line. It would be in between masculine and feminine. I would also like to do bespoke sneakers. And probably in five years, we will make them in ready-to-wear. That’s the next step.

I like this window a lot; I think it looks very crisp and neat. The Westbury monk straps by Church’s, the Panama hat by Borsalino and the new cotton and silk bandanna by Psycho Bunny.

You’ll need to provide the cigar and linen suit to look as if you stepped right out of Casablanca.

I would like to extend a sincere thank you to all those that attended the Edward Green Trunk Show. There were 50 samples on display; more EG’s at one show than any other in North America. If you weren’t able to make it remember that we take MTO’s anytime.

I’d also like to extend a very special thank you to my good friend Robert Godley who did a fantastic job advising clients and spit shining shoes all day.

We took several orders for some very special shoes. I can hardly wait to post pictures of them when they arrive. In the mean time here are some pictures of the days events for your enjoyment.