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From Himeji to Northampton: Sunflower, Indigo, Amber, Moss

For as long as Crown has been making shoes, Japan has been part of the story. Our makers have travelled to Tokyo to show what Northampton hands can do. Chris has measured feet in the country's oldest importer of British shoes. A little Japanese influence has always been present in our footwear. Two of our recent D drops have already been made in Shinki Cordovan. Now it gets a whole collection to itself, and their craftwork comes to join ours here in Northampton, the home of shoes.   Our best-selling sneaker and our newest style, both in Shinki Cordovan The Shinki Cordovan Collection brings together our best-selling Harlestone Hand Stitch sneaker, alongside our most recent product development, the Yardley GAT. Both are available in four Shinki Shell Cordovan colours. A collaboration between two craft businesses, a tannery in Japan and a factory in Northampton, who share the same starting point: the best that is possible, by staff who know their craft.   What makes Japanese Shell Cordovan rare The tannery There are very few Shell Cordovan tanneries left in the world. Japan has one. Shinki Hikaku, based in Himeji, is that one. It is a privilege to be one of their customers, and one that came out of our long-standing Japanese relationship and a shared belief in the work coming first.   Chris Woodford with the Shinki Hikaku team during our visit to the Shinki Hikaku tannery in Himeji, Japan.   The material Shell Cordovan comes from a limited number of horsehides, sourced from the meat industry. Each hide has two dense connective tissue membranes (shells), that vary in size from one to three square feet. That is all. Two small shells per horse, and only from a limited supply. It makes Shell Cordovan one of the rarest leathers in the world. The tanning time At least six months of pit tanning is required to bring a shell to life, done by makers who have been doing it for decades. The first job is to work the raw leather to find the shell inside. From there, it takes patience and knowledge to move each shell at the right moment, through the pits, the drying, and the finishing stages.   Shells being worked on in the tanning pits at the Shinki factory in Japan.   The colour Because the colours are all made in small runs, sometimes a shade will be temporarily out of stock. If yours is not available when you visit the website, join the waiting list and we will make sure you are the first to know when it returns.   A Palette Drawn from Japan Working with a leather this rare is a joy. Colours vary in shade from one delivery to the next, as is the nature of hand tanning with traditional methods on natural material. Which is one of the many small things that makes your own pair of sneakers unique. We chose four colours that suit the Shinki tannage, which shows best in the more vibrant tones. The natural tannins soften the colour and let it patina to your flex over time. Chosen too because they complement our existing Horween Shell Cordovan range. Between the two Cordovan tanneries, we think there is something for everyone. We gave the four colours our own names. We wanted them to carry something of the country the leather comes from, and each is drawn from Japanese culture and traditional aesthetics.   Sunflower (向日葵, pronounced Himawari) The Japanese word for sunflower. In Japan, sunflowers mean summer, and they carry real emotional weight because after the 2011 Fukushima disaster, they were planted across the site, both as a symbol of recovery and to absorb toxins from the soil. The flower has become tied to hope and healing in a way that feels quite specific to Japan.     Indigo (藍, pronounced Ai) Known worldwide as Japan Blue. The traditional aizome dyeing craft is one of the oldest in Japan and takes a full year to produce. Only a handful of makers still do it the old way, all in one prefecture. Historically worn by samurai, and the same indigo tradition sits at the heart of Japan's world-famous denim craft.     Amber (琥珀, pronounced Kohaku) The Japanese word for amber, the fossilised tree resin. Used for centuries in traditional beadwork and Buddhist prayer beads. Warm and glowing. Kohaku is also a well-known Japanese name.     Moss (苔, pronounced Koke) Moss is mentioned in Japan's national anthem, as a symbol of time passing. Kyoto has a famous temple called Kokedera, the

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Top 7 Reasons to Get Your Pair of Shearling Slippers

Wearing shearling slippers certainly gives you a feeling of luxury and supreme smoothness that your feet desire. There are a number of people who believe that investing in a pair of these slippers would be a costly affair and hence refrain from doing so. So, for those who believe that it would be a bad investment, here are the top seven reasons why you should be getting your pair of slippers made out of shearling sheepskin. 1. Unmatched Warmth: Stay Cozy in Every Season Shearling is undoubtedly one of the best ways to protect your feet from freezing temperatures during the winter season. At the same time, it is the best option to insulate your feet against the sweltering hot temperatures during the summer season. They help keep the feet of the wearer warm in the winters and cool in the summers. 2. Breathable Comfort: Natural Sheepskin That Adapts to You These slippers are truly luxurious which is bound to give each of the wearers an overwhelming feeling. Once you wear these slippers, you would certainly not love to wear anything other than these. 3. Handmade Durability: Draper Craftsmanship Since 1937 Shearling is completely natural and comes with the goodness of nature as opposed to man-made unnatural materials. The natural wonder plays a vital role in keeping your ankles and feet healthy in the best possible manner. 4. Stylish Versatility: Perfect Indoors and Outdoors One of the major reasons why a pair of shearling slippers are preferred so much by the users is the level of comfort offered. The pair of slippers made out of shearling sheepskin provides uncompromised comfort to the wearers, and hence a highly preferred choice. 5. Foot Health Benefits: Cushioning & Moisture Control The pair of slippers are great to protect the feet not only against heat or cold but also from all others sorts of unwanted elements, thereby making the slippers an appropriate choice for a considerable volume of the population. 6. Sustainable Choice: Eco-Friendly Shearling Footwear We all know that shearling is costly and so the slippers made are also quite costly. There are many who refrain from buying shearling slippers solely due to their high cost. But the usefulness and functionality of the pair of these slippers make sure that each penny invested is absolutely worth it. 7. Value for Money: A Long-Term Comfort Investment Finally, the slippers made out of high-quality genuine shearling sheepskin form an excellent gifting option. Irrespective of the gender, these slippers can be conveniently gifted, thereby making these slippers very suitable for the purpose of gifting.Now, a clear idea can be obtained why you should be making sure to invest in a pair of shearling slippers for yourself.