My First 🇺🇸 Made In America 🇺🇸 Bespoke Shoes(!!) | Francis Waplinger | New York City | Kirby Allison

In what is a first for the Kirby Allison Channel, today I sit down with Brooklyn-based bespoke shoemaker Francis Waplinger for the delivery of my first pair of 🇺🇸 American-made 🇺🇸 bespoke shoes!

Francis Waplinger is an Italian-trained, New York-based bespoke shoemaker resurrecting the craft of handmade bespoke shoes in America. To the best of my knowledge, he is one of only a handful of bespoke shoemakers doing their work out of the United States, and he is certainly the youngest! It is exciting to be able to spotlight young, aspiring American artisans like Francis.

The process of creating a pair of bespoke shoes is a timeless journey, rooted in the craftsmanship of old-world tradition dating back hundreds of years. It begins with a consultation where the bespoke shoemaker carefully measures the client's feet, noting every contour and nuance. A wooden last is then carved to mirror the foot's unique shape, around which the client's individualized shoes are then hand-sewn. Through countless hours of hand-stitching and shaping, the shoes take form, and with the final polish, they emerge as a true reflection of both the wearer’s style and the artisan’s mastery. A pair of bespoke shoes is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, crafted with dedication, precision, and the timeless artistry of a skilled hand.

🎬 WATCH OUR OTHER VIDEOS WITH FRANCIS WAPLINGER
🔸    • First Fitting With An American Bespok...  
🔸    • Getting My Feet Measured by American ...  
🔸    • Designing My American Bespoke Shoes W...  

🔍 MORE ABOUT FRANCIS WAPLINGER
🔸 Website: https://www.franciswaplinger.com/
🔸 Instagram: @franciswaplinger_shoemaker

OTHER VIDEOS YOU MAY ENJOY
🔸    • Menswear Mecca: The Largest Sock Stor...  
🔸    • Your Shoelaces Will Never Come Untied...  

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#bespokeshoes #craftmanship #kirbyallison

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🎬 My First 🇺🇸 Made In America 🇺🇸 Bespoke Shoes(!!) | Francis Waplinger | New York City
00:00 Introduction
01:20 The Resurrection of Traditional Craft in America
02:45 Francis's Bespoke Aesthetic
16:29 My Bespoke Journey with Francis
26:00 The Bespoke Reveal!
32:45 Elements of a Handmade Shoe
35:30 Are dress shoes comfortable?
41:00 What should be my next pair?

🧺 Dry cleaning provided by Rave Fabricare: https://bit.ly/3ery0FU

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