A Meeting with Tony in New York

[Hartline]

I stopped in to see Tony yesterday at Waldorf in New York and had very pleasant meeting – as usual. If you’ve not already gone to see him, find your umbrella and go.

When I was in London this spring, Tony gave an amazing all-day tour of EG. (If you ever get a chance to see the craftsman doing the stitching on the Dover, do it.)

In his workshop, we looked at various skins, and we settled on pigskin for a pair loafers. It is one of my favorite hides, and since I don’t pay any attention to other sections of Leviticus, Lev. 11:7-8 gave me no pause. Choosing a hide is always struggle. I always want something else made in the Freudenberg black calf, but I have enough black shoes.

Tony’s samples for loafers are really elegant. They are long, sharp, square, and clean. For me he is designing something that incorporates the clean lines, the sharpness, and the squareness of his samples. He is also making the shoe substantial enough so that it will be in balance with my odd trousers that are wide and heavy. It required making a new last for me. (My other last that we use for oxfords and derbys is based conceptually on EG’s 404, 707, illustrations from Fellows and Saalburg, and some old bespoke Peal shoes when it was on Wigmore Street. (There is a picture of my brown suede derbys in Tony’s photo section with that elongated, higher walled, Peal type toe.)

Additionally, there were some interesting belts that he had.

The shoes are taking shape nicely, and I’ll have some good pictures to post in the future. The issue that remains is what is order next.

[manton]

I think that we will find that at least a half dozen members were their either yesterday or today.

[Concordia]

Or tomorrow morning, weather permitting.

[jcusey]

I think that we will find that at least a half dozen members were their either yesterday or today.

And at least two who saw him on Monday in Dallas.

[Guest]

Anyone have his phone number?

[lancepryor]

David:

Why don't you simply phone the Waldorf and ask for Tony? If you give his name and company, I'm sure they will be able to connect you to his room. 212-355-3000.

[Guest]

Thank you Lance, that is exactly what I did. Tony told me the Newbury depicted is on the 888, not the 606 available in the shop.