‘Exclusive’ is a term that is bandied around a lot by marketeers. We are also keen on a bit of ‘bespoke’! It struck us that we may need to explain what these terms mean when it comes to our footwear.
When we mention ‘exclusive’, we mean this style of shoe or boot has not been made for anyone else. Herring has had a hand in designing the final look of the product, whether that is choosing the leather type, the finish, the last, the sole, the colour of the sole or interior, and any decorative design feature.
This means you will not find these shoes sold anywhere else. They are all Herring’s!
We have a proud history of teaming up with the best shoemakers in the UK and Europe, and we like to tell you where our shoes have been made and by which manufacturer. We have worked with the Northamptonshire greats, Barker and Cheaney, Bolton-based Walsh for their sneakers, and Carlos Santos for their beautiful hand-finished shoes from Portugal, among others.
We visit their factories and have built up a professional and respectful relationships with their management and very skilled craftsmen. Together, we create iconic designs that they do not make for any other reseller or store.
This is how we have always worked. We have ideas and passions that we want the very best in the business to turn into stunning footwear. In short, every Herring shoe or boot is custom-made to order with a large serving of our own flair and expertise applied.
Here is short run-through of some of our exclusive styles:
Dunkeld brogues – made by Carlos Santos
If you find laces fiddly but want a formal shoe, it can be hard to find anything that looks sleek and formal. Dunkeld is both, with a faux leather lace and delicate leather pieces covering the elastication, made on the Z160 last for a chiselled toe box. These look stunning with a suit.
Horwich trainer – made by Walsh
Herring Horwich is handmade in the UK for us by Walsh, a famous name in the world of training shoes. Following on from our successful collaboration last year, the Horwich is a completely new addition to the range and focusses on clean sharp contrast colours for a distinctive retro vibe. We have used multiple materials and finishes to elevate this bespoke design.
Burlington II – made by Barker
This is a classic shoe. The Burlington II is a new style incorporating a round-toed, semi-brogue with a Derby or Gibson lace plus a hybrid leather-rubber sole in case it rains. This is a premium shoe, handmade in Northamptonshire by Barker using the finest materials.
Charlton II loafer – made by Barker
Also good for spring/summer, the Charlton II takes its inspiration from the classic tassel loafers of old. On a great-fitting 386 last, this elegant loafer is on a Goodyear-welted leather sole and is, again, handmade just for us in Northamptonshire.
Disraeli – made by Cheaney
The Disraeli is a fantastic new addition to our work-friendly range of shoes as it offers the sleek toe cap silhouette of a traditional Oxford but the convenience of an elasticated front. This is handmade from start to finish in the UK and is repairable at the original factory making Disraeli a sound investment.
These are classic shoes that would not look out of place in a Jermyn Street flagship store, but you will not find them there. You can only find these exclusive, bespoke (got them both in there!) styles in our convenient online store.
We will be introducing our new exclusive styles in more detail over the next few weeks. Let us know what piques your interest.