JANUARY IN PARIS
After a short Christmas break, the lights are back on in the workshop and the familiar rhythm has returned. Benches are busy again, patterns are pinned up, hides are being selected that quiet hum of making is back where it belongs.
January is always a moment of reset for us. A chance to return to our craft with fresh eyes, steady hands, and a clear focus on what matters: making the best footwear we possibly can.
In January part of the team headed to Paris for one of our twice-yearly trade shows, presenting our upcoming AW26 collection to buyers from across the globe. Dom, Neil, Katie and Julia were on the ground, and the response gave us a lot to think about on the journey home.
What stood out most was the interest in our barefoot sneakers and boots. Seeing those designs resonate so strongly - in a city known for tradition, luxury and refinement - reinforced that we’re onto something meaningful. It’s also given us confidence to look ahead and expand the barefoot zone further this year.
But barefoot footwear brings a very real challenge in the workshop. These shoes demand flexibility, sensitivity and minimal interference - yet our standards for durability, structure and longevity never move. Achieving the right balance between the two isn’t straightforward.
Our craftsmen have been pushed to rethink construction methods, refine patterns, and question long-held assumptions about how a high-quality shoe should behave on foot. It’s an ongoing process of trial, adjustment and debate at the bench - exactly the kind of challenge that keeps a workshop sharp.
Much of the AW26 collection shown in Paris was also rooted close to home. Most of the leathers came from C.F. Stead in Leeds, just a short drive from our workshop. Presenting a Made in Yorkshire product, built with local materials, in the heart of Paris felt quietly special.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE?
Since returning, it’s been back to the details - adjusting colours, refining proportions, and pushing some of the ideas discussed with independent stores even further. Now, we’d love to hear from you. What would you like to see next? A new silhouette, a specific use case, or a question about construction? Let us know below.
when in paris...
And, of course, it wasn’t all work. Frog legs and snails were bravely sampled, a few early-morning runs took in the landmarks, and there was time to catch up with old friends and new faces across the industry.
Paris was a great start to 2026 and we are excited to bring you our AW26 collection.
RESOLEABLE SNEAKERS
Ends December 26, 2025 at 3:00 pm
