Our Story

It was always fascinating to see dad get ready for a party or an occasion. He would take out his Dark Brown Suit from it's suit sleeve and place is carefully and a suitable shirt and tie for it. He would then wear his formal shoes which would make a crisp walking sound. As a child, these moments would ignite an imagination of me getting dressed for a formal occasion.

It was exciting at the thought of visiting a shoe store with Dad who would buy us new shoes for the school. These were just regular black artificial leather shoes with everything glued and had rubber soles. He had a shoe polish kit and taught us (I have 2 brothers), to polish and care for your shoes. We had small hands and could barely manage to polish the shoe in our hands, but it was always exciting to make a shoe shine.

When it would be his turn to buy a new pair of shoe. He would ask the sales person for formal leather shoes always with leather uppers and leather soles. He would then check the stitching of the shoe and pull the sole to check the strength of the stitch. He would walk in the shoe to check the toe allowance and comfort.

As we all follow our fathers foot steps, during the late 80s, I started understanding about fashion, clothing, casual and formal wear a bit better. My choice of buying formal shoes would be exactly like my fathers. However, by then there was one thing that was evident that leather sole shoes were a  dying breed. The ones which were available started to cost over $200 then. 

The current generation of 25 year olds are oblivious of the traditional classics of leather upper and leather sole shoes with Brouge and Wingtip design which look dapper even today on any stylish suit. Rubber sole shoes (click the link and review point 3) are everywhere and even expensive brands like Bally, Louis Vuitton, Salvatore Ferragamo etc. have their starting range with rubber sole shoes. Good quality leather sole shoes are hard to find and when found are ridiculously priced for $300 and over. 

As I got older, I always ensured that I have leather sole formal shoes; one black and one brown pair which I would pick from my Europe and US visits (yes a few traditional shoemakers still make leather sole shoes there).

From the 60’s to the 80’s, I recollect people speaking of getting Custom Shoes made in London and Hong Kong (being under British rule). Today, Custom Shoes are almost out of fashion. Today there a lot of bespoke clothing makers but a very rarely bespoke shoe maker. 

 As I walk through many tailors, I notice that the mannequins dressed up to party but have no shoes on them. It dawned on me that I should get the traditional classic of custom made shoes back in the market.  

This thought got me researching on shoe manufacturers in low cost countries where I would source talent and material which would pass all the requirements of a trendy custom made leather shoes which are priced reasonably.

In the process, I was able to find shoe makers in India using traditional shoemakers who make shoes from scratch with hand. They have the able to deliver traditional and modern shoes designs like the Loafers, Brouge and Monks, in simple Derby or Oxford styles. They also use European leather to wonderfully combine colors and use stitching to add of grace and strength to the final product. 

This is my initiative to give you something unique which only you would have in your size and is deigned by you.

Styled For You, By You and To You.

At King’s, You are family.

Nilesh Karani