Amsterdam's finest denim store Tenue de Nîmes released a video today which is an ode to the Red Wing Shoes Hand-sewn collection. The video shows a curated selection of Tenue de Nîmes looks that compliment the hand-crafted Red Wing Spring Summer 2012 collection.
Maine, once America’s footwear capital, has a rich shoemaking history that dates back to the mid 1800s.The Androscoggin River supplied power to many of the tanneries and factories of the early 20th century. It was on the banks of this river that massive brick buildings were built that formed the backbone of America’s industrial shoe production. Today, the few workshops that have survived have done so because they make some of the highest quality and unique footwear in the world. These remaining companies are proudly carrying on the legacy and tradition of making shoes one stitch at a time, by hand.
With this video Tenue de Nîmes likes to emphasize that quality and style go hand-in-hand, and more importantly that quality and craftsmanship are everlasting.
Red Wing Shoes has been an authority in work wear shoes since 1905. Their leather boots are universally known for their indestructible quality. The brand uses its own leather, and both this raw material and the shoes themselves are still manufactured in the town of Red Wing, on the shores of the Mississippi river. Red Wing made a cross-over to lifestyle a few decades ago and has since become a staple in both the European and Japanese street scenes.
Featured Red Wing Shoes:
Red Wing Shoes 9143 - Wabasha Hand Sewn Chukka Oro-Iginal
Red Wing Shoes 9158 - Wabasha Hand Sewn Oxford Boat Shoe Camel Muleskinner
Red Wing Shoes 9168 - Wabasha Hand Sewn Oxford Boat Shoe Blueberry
Red Wing Shoes 9157 - Wabasha Hand Sewn Oxford Boat Shoe Copper Rough and Tough
More information on the outfits at Tenue de Nîmes
The Red Wing Genuine Handsewn is completely hand made, in Maine. Once America’s footwear capital, Main has a rich shoemaking history that dates back to the mid 1800s. The Androscoggin River supplied power to many of the tanneries and factories of the early 20th century. It was on the banks of this river that massive brick buildings were built that formed the backbone of America’s industrial shoe production. It was in these buildings that hundreds of shoe companies were born, along with the companies that supplied the materials and even invented the machines that helped make the shoes. Today, the few workshops that have survived have done so because they make some of the highest quality and unique footwear in the world. These remaining companies are proudly carrying on the legacy and tradition of making shoes one stitch at a time, by hand.
The first step in building a Genuine Handsewn is assembling the upper. During this initial phase, the leather is selected and cut to pattern. Fitting and sewing components, like eyelets, are also selected.
The second step involves preparing the leather to be hand sewn by immersing the upper in a mix of hot water and leather conditioner. This softens the hide, making it easier to bend around the last.
Once these first two steps are complete, hand sewing begins. The upper is tacked and stretched onto the last to give it its initial shoe shape. The upper- plug and vamp are then stitched together using a special coarse, waxed string that is tough enough to hold the leather pieces together, but flexible enough to allow the shoe to stretch and mold to the foot. Once stitched together, the upper and last are dried, allowing the leather set up, or form to the shape of the last.
After the leather is dry, the bottom of the upper and outsole are prepped and the two are attached. The outsole is then trimmed and buffed.
The final step in the process is cleaning and conditioning the upper. Waxes, oils, and creams are applied and polished, enhancing the leather’s surface feel. The laces are added and the shoes go through their final inspection. (Images by Red Wing Heritage)
