The new shop is the obsession filling up most of the waking hours for all of us at Lodger.  It’s coming along beautifully, and we can’t wait to open up the doors for the first time.  But behind every shoe shop, there is a workshop that built all the cabinets, walls, stairs, etc. 

We had a meeting at the other shop today to check on progress.  And I thought I’d share a few images:

1.  A mock-up of one of the wall panels behind the stairs.

2.  One of the display cabinets with the mock-up of one of our sock drawers.  (Lovingly inspired by one of the most beautiful shops in London.  Any ideas?)

3.  Another display unit with the drawers inset.  The drawer will be covered with a mirror so you can take a close up look at your new pair of Lodgers.  (Take a look at the joinery details on the drawer.  Such beautiful work, it’s a shame no one will ever see it.)

4.  The stock unit built into the old chimney.  Floor to ceiling.  And a very tall ceiling it is. 

5.  A close up of the joints of the drawers.  The skills of our joiner are amazing.  And the machines they use are antiques.  More on the machines later.

6.  Trying to figure out where exactly to put the toilet.  A very important decision. 

7.  The frame for one of the walls downstairs, built to incorporate the TV / monitor and the custom AC unit. 

8.  My favorite machine in the whole shop, the finger joint machine.  This unit dates back to the 40’s or 50’s and has been completely rebuilt more than once because it is irreplaceable.  In the right hands it is craftsmanship at its best. 

9.  A shot of the shop and all the beautiful machines. 

At Lodger we obsess about our shoes.  But we also obsess about each and every detail that comes into contact with our shoes.  And one of the details that can make the most difference in keeping your new pair looking like new for many years to come is a well made pair of shoe trees. 

With most shoe companies the trees are an after thought.  They charge you extra for generic lumps of wood that are spring loaded to fit as many different sizes as possible. 

When you purchase a pair of Lodger shoes, we include a pair of shoe trees cut from the same last that your shoes are made on.  They’ll fit your pair, and your pair only.  No other length, width, or shape will do.  And because we think they’re so important in keeping your shoes fresh, they’re included in the price. 

The trees that we have developed over the last year or so are beautiful, functional pieces of craftsmanship.  Here are a couple images poached from the upcoming website. 

But we’re not content sitting still, so are working on a few additional options.  The first is a new hinge that is completely hidden so that the trees are more streamlined.      

Our factory has never worked with a hinge like this before, so we’re in the testing phase at the moment.  Since this hinge has never been used in this way before, there is only one way to find out if it is an improvement.  Try it.   

The other new tree is a version in obeechi wood.  This has been the wood of choice for many of the bespoke makers over the years because it is so light.  We’re considering it for a traveling shoe tree, as a lighter option than our standard (more rugged) beech trees.

Since the wood is so soft and porous, the hinges need to be more robust to avoid being pulled apart with repeated use.  I’d like to find a more elegant hinge solution.  And any suggestions would be appreciated. 

For those new to the Lodger concept, we do things a little differently from the average shoe company.  When we launch the shop and web site next month (October) we will have three different options for each customer to choose from.

Our Ready to Wear collection is typical, even if the shoes aren’t.  Collections from both England and Italy will be available for immediate purchase and you can walk home in a new pair of Lodgers that very same day.

We also offer a fully bespoke service to select customers that want to explore their more creative side.  Please get in touch if you have interest and ideas.

Where Lodger is different from all the other shoe companies is our Shoe of the Month.  Every month we offer a new style from both England and Italy that is available for one month only.  And each order is custom made for an individual customer based on a 3D laser scan we’ve taken of his foot.  It’s our way of doing something special for both the product and our customers.   

It allows us to offer shoes that are just right for every season.  And to explore more looks and materials than are possible in a traditional collection.  It also means that we can work on a shoe until it is just right and release it only when it is ready. 

At the moment we’re working on a new loafer in Italy.  Something a bit more elegant than our existing style.  Something to wear to work with a smartly tailored suit.

Here’s a photo of a very first mock-up of what it could look like.  From here we’ll work on the individual pattern pieces and make a prototype.  Changes are made.  Repeat as necessary.

We hope to have it available as a Shoe of the Month in December or January, but we’ll see.  Doing things the Lodger way means we can work on it until it’s perfect.  Instead of just rushing out something for a deadline.  It’s one of the things I enjoy most about having our own independent little company.      

The building works are progressing quite quickly now that we’ve gotten the new structural beams and floor joists in.  The highlight of last week was the insertion of the new staircase.  As mentioned in a prior post, it’s a single, seamless ribbon of steel that joins the Ready to Wear collection on the ground floor with the bespoke atelier on the lower ground.

After the final welds are completed, it will be polished a deep bronze and a leather runner will be added.  The under-side of the stairs will be lacquered in the Lodger Burgundy. 

Up next, the new floor. 

The shop fit has finally begun in earnest. 

When we first too the lease to 15c Clifford Street we thought it would need a coat of new paint, some custom cabinets, and some comfortable chairs.  But like most home remodels that start by doing "just the guest bathroom" the project has grown.  Just a wee bit.

As you can see by the photos, we’ve ripped out the floors.  This is to accommodate our new staircase so that we can have Ready to Wear upstairs and the Bespoke area downstairs.  We’ve had to cut out the one structural steel beam that was in exactly in the wrong spot and replace it with two. 

On Monday we should begin installing the staircase, but we won’t commit to that since we now know all about putting launch dates in print.  After the stairs, we get our floor back.

Let’s hope it all goes smoothly.

29th August 2008

3rd September 2008

4th September 2008

When Martin our photographer heads out to the country side it means the new photos of the collection will follow quickly.  And this batch is my favorite yet. 

Set in another derelict Victorian swimming pool, this series showcases the two English collections, both classic and modern.  All the shoes featured are a part of the Ready to Wear collection and will be available when we launch the shop and website next month. 

To see the entire series you’ll have to wait for the full launch of the website, but here’s a little something to whet your appetite.