Shoes Where the Essence of Design Resides | JOHN LOBB

JOHN LOBB

Crafting Your Look with "AIRE"

The Designer's Art of Synthesizing Complex Elements

Design can be additive or subtractive. The discernment that dictates this balance is where a designer truly shines. How did Artistic Director Paula Gerbase achieve this? The answer lies in "AIRE," a new derby shoe.

Photographs by Takashi Kobayashi (ITARU Studio)Text by Yuji Ito

Infusing Past Popular Models with Modern Vitality

Shoe designs can be broadly categorized into closed-lacing Oxfords, open-lacing Derbies, and then buckles, slip-ons, and boots. Most shoes are variations within these frameworks, achieved by adjusting details and embellishments.

However, John Lobb's bespoke services transcend even these boundaries. They select materials for a single pair tailored to the client's needs, even developing new techniques if necessary.

This very spirit of innovation ensures that their ready-to-wear collections feature shoes unlike any other.

Artistic Director Paula Gerbase thoroughly understands the extensive archive, then applies her own innovations to imbue shoes with a modern sensibility befitting the present day. This refined taste is evident in the new "AIRE" model, which features details reminiscent of the now-discontinued "SADDLE."

A Twist on Britishness in Design

The Spring/Summer 2015 collection from John Lobb presents four new styles. One of these is the "Saddle Story." Its design, featuring a twisted lacing system on the Derby's quarters, expresses John Lobb's heritage rooted in the British countryside.

The "AIRE" is a Derby shoe with an exceptionally elegant appearance. However, it goes beyond a simple open-lacing design, incorporating elements from past models and drawing inspiration from Ghillie shoes, which have origins in Scotland and Iceland, to create a distinctly British aesthetic.

To wear this shoe with flair, a smart casual approach for leisure is ideal. Pair it with a suit styled for enjoyment, perhaps with a strong colored shirt in navy or khaki, and a casually tied scarf at the neck. Combining this with the "AIRE" on your feet could add depth to your playful suit ensembles.

Model Name: "AIRE"

Color/Material: Black, Navy, Claret / Calf

Last: 8695

Sole: Single Leather Sole

Construction: Goodyear Welted

Price: ¥291,600

Sizes: 5E - 9.5E