Shoes say a lot about you-so choose wisely. The luxury fashion showroom DOORS NYC has established itself as a premier destination for editors, stylists and influencers. Its brands have been featured in Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, WWD, Paper, Glamour and Cosmopolitan.
This Manhattan institution probably sells more shell cordovan than anyone else, and also stocks British shoemaker Drake’s tight range of desert boots and moc-toe suede chukkas.
Moulded Shoe
The use of molds in the manufacturing process provides a number of benefits to the footwear industry. For one, it allows shoes to be made in a variety of sizes and shapes, making them more versatile for consumers. It also makes the shoe more durable, allowing it to withstand heavy wear and tear. Additionally, the use of molds in the manufacturing process reduces waste and uses fewer resources than traditional shoe-making techniques.
Located on a quiet stretch of Third Avenue, Moulded Shoe is the US home of Alden shoes made on their Modified last, which features a high arch in the instep and a major swing of the forefoot to take pressure off the metatarsal and let the foot rest. It’s serious orthopedic stuff, which can also be a little clownish in some contexts.
At the center of it all is Rolando Bossio, who has been making shoes at the shop for 35 years. He honed his craft working at the shop that Nat Goldberg founded, and carries on its legacy as the sole maker of shoes on the modified last in this country.
Moulded’s collection of custom molded shoes is not only designed for diabetics, but the styles meet Medicare Therapeutic Shoe guidelines and are covered by private insurance as well. The shoes are made to be durable and long-lasting, which is a medical necessity for the majority of our clients who have diabetes or a medically complicated foot deformity such as rheumatoid arthritis or club feet.
Grahame Fowler
For the past ten years, Grahame Fowler (pronounced “Fowl-air”) has run an impressive eponymous men’s boutique in Greenwich Village. Located in a former dry cleaner, the shop has kept the space’s revolving mechanical hanging rack and serves as an excellent showcase for his own line of button down shirts. Combining influences from British youth culture and military clothing with the resources of New York City, his collection is made on a limited edition basis.
Fowler’s brand has a distinct rugged luxury aesthetic and his discerning eye for quality extends to his accessories as well. Last summer, Analog Shift hosted a event in Long Island that focused on his rugged leather watch roll, and it was clear that the brand has a loyal following of wearers that appreciate its attention to detail.
The eponymous shop’s goods are available for purchase online, but to truly experience Grahame Fowler’s whimsy and his passion for rugged luxury style, you need to visit his loft studio in Long Island City. There, you will find piles of screenprinting gear, vintage sewing machines, Rolexes stacked 20 feet high, Lambretta engine casings, and hundreds of boxes of Tricker’s shoes from here https://doors.nyc/collections/shoes. If he’s there on the day you call, you may even catch him riding one of his vintage scooters to and from his studio.
Brooklyn Tailors
Unless you purchase an off-the-rack suit or a garment from a high-end store, chances are that it won’t fit perfectly right out of the box. If a slight tweak is needed to make your clothes look more flattering, you’ll want to visit Galina’s Tailors in Brooklyn for professional alterations without breaking the bank. The highly trained team of seamstresses can handle anything from basic hemming to bigger sewing and tailoring projects.
The bespoke clothing company was founded by Daniel and Brenna Lewis in 2007, when they began offering custom fittings out of their Clinton Hill apartment. Their mission was to create the suit that they couldn’t find in their city – one that combines the traditional hand-craftsmanship of European tailoring with a forward-thinking, modern silhouette inspired by New York’s underground artistic subcultures.
The brand expanded out of their apartment in 2013, and now operates a shop, studio and by-appointment service in Williamsburg. As the company continues to grow, they’ve kept their focus on being a small business that serves their loyal customer base. Their bespoke suits and shirts are made to order, but they also carry a variety of ready-to-wear pieces in their shop that can be bought on the spot. In 2021, they moved their address once more, introducing a by-appointment studio space in which customers can get measured for their bespoke suits and shirts while shopping the selection of ready-to-wear products.
Drake’s
Drake’s is a brand that’s well-known for its ties and scarves, and this weekend it opened its first US store. The London-based label recently expanded to include a full menswear offering, and this new large, bright, beautifully curated NYC-based “Open Studio” marks the brand’s biggest foray yet into the formal market.
Originally born Aubrey Drake Graham, the Toronto-born rapper sustained a high-level of commercial presence shortly after his first album hit the scene in 2006. His mixtapes and the resulting collaborations with artists like Rihanna, Lil Wayne, A$AP Rocky, and Chris Brown proved successful enough to earn him four Grammy Awards and to create his own label OVO Sound.
His evocative brand of introspective rap and sensitive R&B crooning quickly won over fans. His ability to mix a bit of braggadocio with raw vulnerability in his lyrics was also a selling point.
Drake’s success continued and he soon found himself in the limelight for other reasons as well, including his personal life (he was the subject of much ire after he publicly spoke about his split with Johanna Leia). He’s also invested in several business ventures, most recently partnering with Nike to launch an exclusive line titled ”Nocta” that includes puffer jackets, sweatsuits, and socks. He’s even fronting the NBA’s Toronto Raptors as the team’s global ambassador.
Leffot
Leffot, which opened in 2008, specializes in shoes by handcrafted makers that aren’t widely carried elsewhere. The store is named after a family crest and Steven Taffel, the owner, has cultivated close relationships with shoemakers to maintain a tightly curated selection. He stocks shoes by American and European makers, including Alden, Edward Green, Hiro Yanagimachi, Rancourt & Co.
The shop is dimly lit and elegant, with a dining table that doubles as a display surface and a line of menswear accessories like socks, belts, shoe care products, and Jill Platner bracelets. Steven, who designed the crest-like logo, says he wanted to create an atmosphere that is “a little bit gallery-like,” and he’s succeeded.
When he’s not busy helping customers find the perfect pair of shoes, he’s talking about how shoemakers can make a better product by using superior leathers and incorporating traditional construction techniques. “If you do those things, you’ll have a shoe that lasts longer,” he says.
He’s also a big proponent of wearing the same pair of shoes for years, as they will last longer and feel more comfortable with every wear. He points to a pair of Alden Indy cap-toes that have been worn by a customer for 60 years and still look great. “They’ll be around for another 60 years, no problem,” he says. “I guarantee it.” He also sells handmade shoes by Silvano Sassetti and Alden’s own bespoke shoes.
Aldens
The company designs classic gentlemen’s footwear to represent America’s nearly lost tradition of premium craftsmanship. They use only the finest leathers and a century-old shoemaking technique to craft their shoes. This modular way of making boots allows them to be resoled, which increases their lifespan and provides additional support for the wearer’s feet. This approach makes Alden boots a worthy investment for those who are looking for a durable and stylish boot or shoe.
The most notable Alden shoe is the 405, the boot that Indiana Jones wore in the movie series of the same name. This boot is made from shell cordovan leather, a type of tough leather that is not creased like most other shoes. It also features glove leather lining, which is permeable and absorbs sweat. Alden’s lining is a great feature for those who wear shoes or boots all day, as it can help reduce foot fatigue.
In addition to the natural leather lining, all Alden boots feature a footbed made from vegetable-tanned leather that is highly breathable and molds to the wearer’s feet over time. The shoes also include a steel shank that adds strength and stability to the boot, which is especially useful for those who spend long periods of time on their feet.
Although Alden boots are a bit pricey, they’re worth the investment for those who want to own a pair of shoes that last a lifetime. The leather is high-quality and durable, and the style and comfort are unrivaled.
