John Lobb Bootmaker

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

John Lobb Limited
TypePrivate limited company[1]
IndustryShoemaking
Founded1849 (as bootmaker)[2]
1866 (first shop opened)
FounderJohn Lobb
Headquarters9 St James's Street
London, United Kingdom
ProductsBespoke shoes, boots and accessories
Websitejohnlobbltd.co.uk

John Lobb Bootmaker is a company that manufactures and retails a luxury brand of shoes and boots, mainly for men but also for women. Leather goods such as wallets and belts are also available. Founded by John Lobb (1829–95),[3] John Lobb Bootmaker has been in business since 1849 in London and circa 1900 in Paris.[4][5]

The original London bespoke workshop at 9 St James's Street remains family-owned and continues to operate independently (as John Lobb Limited). In 1976, the John Lobb Paris shop was acquired by the Hermès Group, which has developed the John Lobb ready-to-wear shoe brand around the world. The two companies continue to maintain their bespoke shoe-making tradition, with the original Lobb family workshop in London and the Hermès owned workshop in Paris.[6][7]

History[]

John Lobb opened a shop in London in 1866 and produced footwear for European royalty.[6][8] Following the success of the London base, he opened a shop in Paris circa 1900.[5]

In 1976, Hermès was allowed to use the "John Lobb" name. Only about 100 pairs of ready-to-wear shoes are finished per day. The original, family-owned John Lobb firm still produces handmade shoes one pair at a time. Until the 1980s, John Lobb operated only custom-made activity in London and in Paris. From 1982 onwards, the ready-to-wear activity has complemented the made to measure, and distribution has expanded.

The London company was the subject of a 1945 British Pathé film, Shoes for the Famous,[9] and an episode of the June 2016 BBC Four documentary series, Handmade: By Royal Appointment.[10]

Present operations[]

In 1976, John Lobb Paris became part of the Hermès Group. The London bespoke workshop, John Lobb Limited, remains in the hands of the family and operates independently from its premises at 9 St James's Street.

The ready-to-wear collection debuted in 1982, and the first store showcasing the line opened in 1990 in Paris. In June 2014, the Hermès Group announced the appointment of Paula Gerbase as John Lobb's first ever Artistic Director.[11]

Gallery[]

  • Royal Warrants of John Lobb, bespoke shoe and bootmaker, London

  • Storefront and workplace of John Lobb, London

  • Shop interior of John Lobb, London

  • Boots from John Lobb, London

  • Workplace of John Lobb, London

  • Display of shoes at John Lobb, London

  • Shoemaker at work, John Lobb, London

  • Selection of leather swatches at John Lobb, London

  • Shoe lasts of Queen Victoria

References[]

  1. ^ "Company information". Companies House. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  2. ^ "John Lobb Ltd". Royal Warrant Holders Association. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  3. ^ McConnell, Anita (23 September 2004). "Lobb, John". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/61386. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  4. ^ By Royal Appointment. ITV3. 2012. Event occurs at 8:00pm. Archived from the original on 29 June 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
  5. ^ a b Gov.uk, National archives
  6. ^ a b Dobbs, Brian (1972). The Last Shall Be First: The Colourful Story of John Lobb The St. James's Bootmakers. Elm Tree Books. ISBN 0241022738.
  7. ^ Robin Mellery-Pratt, John Lobb, Scaling a Craft-Based , 07/05/2014 in Business of fashion
  8. ^ Nicholas Storey (2008). History of Men's Fashion: What the Well-dressed Man is Wearing. Casemate Publishers. p. 66. ISBN 978-1-84468-037-5.
  9. ^ "Shoes for the Famous". British Pathé. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  10. ^ "John Lobb Shoes". Handmade: By Royal Appointment. Episode 2. 13 June 2016. BBC Four. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  11. ^ The New York Times, Matthew Schneier: John Lobb Spruces Up Its Classic Footwear, 13 novembre 2014

External links[]

Coordinates: 51°30′21″N 0°8′18.3″W / 51.50583°N 0.138417°W / 51.50583; -0.138417

Retrieved from ""