Finally, after 12 months, they have arrive! Had to go to Tokyo to collect them though...
The maestro!
Final fitting - note the pair of Metta Catherina leather shoes the maestro is wearing (sockless, of course). Watch featured is the PAM360.
A final polish before the hand-over
The packaging
The accessories
The shoes... oh! so conservative!!!! A point to note: during my measurement session in Florence, we spent 40 minutes discussing the design of my first bespoke pair, which was essentially me suggesting ideas and the maestro shaking his head and saying "No!".
His rationale: if I had only one pair of shoes from him, it was a pair that would suit all occasions and remain timeless.
Reminds me of something similar, something simplistic. The simplicity parallels another Simplicity that we Purist love. To me Maestro Fukaya is the Philippe Dufour of the bespoke shoe world.
The fine stitching is achieved completely by hand.
As is the distrinctive eagle beaked toe shape.
Other deliveries.
Note that the maestro's preferred style is a far more sharper, dagger-like toe shape as seen in these other deliveries. However, I have wide feet resulting in the shoe being too long in order to acheive his signature design. This was evident in first fitting, which had a sharper toe. His notes on the left shoe indicates a shortening of the toe box to give a more pleasing aesthetic.
The result: An amazing pair of shoes that I have yet been unable to bring myself to wear. The fit is amazing but there are some minor tweaks to the left shoe that will be corrected in the second commission.
THE END
Post script: Another project...
While in Tokyo, I was fortunate that my other bespoke shoe maker, Tony Gaziano of Gaziano and Girling. Tony and Dean were there for their annual trunk show. It gave me the opportunity to have my first fitting.
What so special about these?
Besides the buffalo leather...
And the medallion of my design (which still needs some adjustments, I feel that its too small and compressed).
Its a seamless whole cut.