For close to two centuries, John Lobb has been at the pinnacle of British shoemaking: case in point, the 190 steps it takes to make every pair, done entirely by hand by dedicated artisans. Though recent years, alongside sleek new stores in Kyoto and New York, have seen the shoemaker combine archival technique with contemporary, modernist design – like the newly released ‘Smith’ derby shoe, which pays ode to the British rock scene of the 1980s.
A fresh take on a derby shoe – a style which has been a part of the John Lobb roster since the early days of the brand – the Smith showcases a wider shift in men’s footwear, whereby classic styles are readopted in more casual ways (see: the rise of the loafer, which has become ubiquitous in recent seasons).
