Monthly Archives: October 2011Monthly Archives: October 2011

Turning old into new – Brass Tokyo

Our team at Red Wing Japan took us over to the amazing shoe repair shop Brass in Tokyo to forever change our perception of how awesome a shoe repair place can be. The shop is a two level space with a top section that is open to the public and a lower area that consists of basically a tiny shoe factory with all of the necessary machines to resole shoes and boots. Many of the customers that visit Brass are very particular about how they want their boots resoled and the shop can accommodate most requests.

As you can tell from the set-up at Brass, they take their footwear very seriously in Japan. The shop has been featured in a lot of great Japanese men’s magazines like Free & Easy and 2nd — which is why men travel from all over Tokyo to have them redo their boots and shoes.

The Red Wing Irish Setters below are a good example of how guys can change the appearance of a stock pair of boots through the re-crafting process at Brass. Next time you find yourself in Tokyo stop into Brass and check the place out for yourself. They also sell refurbished boots and shoes that are all pretty great in their own right.

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ManMade Interview with Chris Grodzki of Stanley & Sons

Many people claim a need for authenticity is related to age. Nonsense. Have a look at this video starring chris Grodzki, founder of Stanley & Sons. He gives the answer to what’s authentic; passion.

True passion is what drives the guy to do what he does. Putting in all effort because he likes doing what he does is what makes it authentic…what makes it real.

 

ManMade Interview 03: Chris Grodzki from Thipchat Arthasarnprasit on Vimeo.

Vintage pair

While visiting American Classics, an amazing store in London, we spotted this pair of boots. The mint condition tells it probably hasn’t been worn a lot. So we do not need to guess what stories these boots carry with them. But there is definitely something mysterious about them.  Store-owner Andy couldn’t tell what style it is, and neither could our design team.

A slight guess. The wool lining refers to outdoor sports, hunting as well as the old Irish Setter logo-badge?! There is some history in this pair, but who can tell…


Archived – old add

Found in our archive…

New specials arrive in Europe

After a successful launch in Japan, three special pairs of boots will be sold exclusively at Red Wing Shoe stores in Europe this fall/winter season. This special launch consists of two 8“ Round Toe’s and a Steel Toe Engineer.

First released in 1955, the Round Toe with style number #708 was initially developed for work. So, considering that Red Wing’s work boots were originally made with heavy cork soles, the lightness of the lightweight cushion crepe sole surprised many workers at that time. The #2940 uses the 708’s leather from its latter period, Oro-Russet. #2941 uses Dark Chocolate “Cache” which is similar to the 708’s leather as presented in 1955.

The 2972 steel toe Engineer boot, originally designed for train engineers, is a true heavy-duty boot. It comes in Copper Rough & Tough leather, on an oil resistant neoprene cord outsole and protects your feet with a steel toe cap.

These 3 exclusive pairs of boots are available in Red Wing’s Stores in Amsterdam, Berlin, Frankfurt and Hamburg

 

New – Beckman Moc Toe

This fall, another new style lined up is the Beckman collection, Named after Charles Beckman, the company’s founder. As a professional businessman, he needed boots that could withstand the sturdy and muddy streets of Red Wing anno 1905, while maintaining a required appeal of class.
All Beckman boots therefore come in Featherstone leather; the finest hides especially hand-selected in our tannery, the 1872-founded FS Boot Tannery. The new Beckman moc toe comes in black featherstone (9029) and antique cigar (9030).

How it’s worn

Adam, London

 

Stocked – Gasoline Alley, Munich

Some of those stores around do not reflect a retail formula, but the owner’s character. And those are the best stores to drop by, as we experienced at Gasoline Alley. Talking to Burkhart, we mark his words: ‘Everything I do and did is because I like it, never because I have to.’ And when having a look in his store, one can guess what he likes.
The store is literally stuffed with memorabilia that tell a life’s story. Old motorbikes – he used to be a motor racer, model sail-yachts – he owns the boat that won Sweden a silver medal in the ’64 Olympics – and plenty of water-ski’s – he races the water on a frequent base.
Since we’re writing a blog, and not a book, we won’t go into detail on one of the largest vintage Red Wing collections seen in retail. When in Munich and looking for some history and stories, remember to stop by mr. Burkhart from Gasoline Alley.

 

No Gas, No Food, No Lodging

Nick Hermans has done a quite good job for an amateur photographer. His exhibition – No Gas, No Food, No Lodging – shows great images of deserted gas-stations, empty hotels and closed diners. We asked him what he likes about these settings; ‘ This is hard to put in words, it is more of a feeling but definitely has something to do with the aging grace of all elements.” Even though the scenes are a bit sad, we love the ‘vintage’ look on his images. www.fotogalerie-im-blauen-haus.de/

Stocked – Denim heaven

What you see is what you get. The Japanese call his store Denim heaven. Started by his father in 1931 in downtown Munich, it is now run by Alexander. He stocks over a 1000 denims on 20 square meters.

Be sure to check out Alexander’s band Radio Bluebottle, performing in his store each tuesday evening. What one can do with 20 sq. meters.