EDWARD GREEN: The Pinnacle of British Shoemaking

When anything evolves, it typically seeks change.
Alden, the American shoemaker we discussed previously, survived by adhering to the principle of 'not changing'.
Conversely, Gucci, under Tom Ford, chose to 'keep changing' and experienced a brilliant revival.
Edward Green: The Chairman and CEO of United Arrows on an 'Evolving Legacy Brand'

Photo: Jamandfix

Elegant, Yet Far From Flimsy Footwear
EDWARD GREEN / Since the 1990s

Since the founding of United Arrows (UA), our answer to the best shoes, aside from bespoke, has always been Alden and Edward Green.
I first encountered Green shoes, I believe, at Paul Stuart in New York.
Paul Stuart Japan was importing them, so I was introduced and brought them into Beams F.
They were expensive even then, costing over 80,000 yen.

While Alden's comfort is superb, Green is the only other shoe that offers comfort on par with Alden.
Though the feel is different, the excellence of the Goodyear welt construction is common to both.
Green shoes are often described as 'elegant and delicate,' but their comfort is anything but delicate.
It's the ultimate enveloping comfort one expects from ready-to-wear. I wore them most frequently between about 1990 and 1995.

I used to refer to Alden shoes by their product numbers, but with Green, I used model names like HARROW and WESTMINSTER II.

Paulsen Skone from my Beams days

Paulsen Skone was a brand for which Beams held trunk shows, and part of their production was done at the Green factory.
The manufacturing grade itself wasn't significantly different, but compared to Green's lasts, they weren't as stylish.
When I ordered Paulsen Skone, they came back looking like a toad, so I have no fond memories (laughs).