The majority of the shoes on show were the ready-to-wear / made-to-order range, all the 33 models which can be found in the catalogue and on the web. The shoes look in the flesh (or is it ‘in the hide) much nicer than on the pictures. They are absolutely exquisitely made.
The secret of their bespoke look is the fact that they are only factory-made up to a certain point, and then Dean Girling finishes the shoes by hand. For those who care about a shapely waist (in a shoe that is), G&G shoes leave even John Lobb’s (Paris) “Bootmaker” with extra fat around the midriff. Same thing applies to the heels, they have a much smaller footprint than other ready-to-wear shoes.
G&G RTW offer a quite wide selection of leathers (although not as wide as the bespoke selection, where the choice is literally hundred)s. Some are crust (unfinished) leathers that get died on the shoe, while others are aniline died.
There was very little of bespoke samples on show, I believe only two - plus a few samples demonstrating the various production stages (lasted, welted, sole halfway stitched).
There are negotiations with retailers going on. Hopefully G&G shoe will be sold in your friendly neighbourhood store before long.
I wish Tony Gaziano and Dean Girling all the best for the future. They must be indeed a couple of brave men, to venture into dress shoes, in these days of sneakers and trainers.
Rolf
P.S. I placed an order for the “Cannes” (Venetian loafer with hand-stitched apron) in dark blue.
