Crafted on our smart TKS chisel toe last, black French boxcalf from Tannerie d’Annnonay is the perfect canvas to reveal its sharp angles and graceful contours that is so characteristic of Mr. Takano’s work. Adorned with the Clematis signature “Jerry stitch” made up of three closely sewn parallel lines of stitching that from a distance look like micro-broguing along the toebox and throat, the shoe features a distinct but blink-and-you’ll-miss-it subtlety that elevates it among simple stitched caps. This is the shoe you wear to war in the boardroom or for your upcoming appraisal with a fresh coat of polish.

As with the best ready-to-wear shoes, ours are handwelted with a lip cut directly into a thick insole rather than a glued-in canvas rib to which the welt is hand sewn to for enhanced longevity without having to worry about canvas rib slippage or glue coming loose. This means the shoes can theoretically be resoled more times and offer elevated comfort and support from 8-10mm thick leather insoles compared to standard cork filling (from Goodyear shoes) that cushion the footbed. Aesthetically, the waist can be trimmed closer to the upper to make a distinct beveled waist that is typically associated with bespoke shoes. Our outsoles are then machine sewn to the welt to keep the cost competitive offering what we feel is a perfect balance of quality and cost. The outsoles are decorated with Clematis’ signature faux fiddleback and leaf shaped rubber heel counter as a nod to the master.