In our line of work we are lucky enough to work with some incredible designers, makers and agents and Sanders is a shining example of how a large company can still care about consistency, longevity and market placement. They truly care about making good shoes at a good price and ensuring said shoes are purchased by people who feel equally passionate about such things. They also care about the little guy despite having large accounts all over the world. Maybe this is due to the fact they are founded in the shoe-making royalty area of Northampton - where almost every single British shoe company hails from – that they are familiar with the notion of competition and loyalty amidst other shoe titans.
A little over four years ago I visited the factory whilst back home in the UK and was fascinated at the sheer diversity of what they were producing. As well as the military contracts they have had for decades, I saw all number of different types of footwear, from long equestrian boots to two tone brothel creepers and exquisite pieces made for high end designers that I wasn’t allowed to mention.
This year marks 150 years since they officially started, originally constructing huge amounts of shoes for soldiers during the Napoleonic wars; and still to this day, they are one of very few manufacturers who make every shoe in that factory from start to finish.
A meeting in Paris at the start of this year amalgamated an idea to collaborate on something for both our anniversaries, it was decided that 15 pairs of shoes for a ten year celebration equated to their mammoth 150 year commemoration. Now what model to choose…
The Brit chukka we currently stock is one of our favourites, incorporating everything we love about Ivy League, Sixties fashion and Steve McQueen. It was highlighted that a low top version had never been done using the SNO last and so there was our shoe, not only an exclusive for us but a world exclusive too, employing the moss green suede we love so much that runs through the PPHH design palette.
Beautifully embellished with a custom gold leaf stamp, commemorating both the 150 year anniversary of Sanders and our own decade of business. Incredibly comfortable, durable, a unique stunning shoe that you saw here first.