Last Wednesday Pierre Corthay, the Parisian specialist in fine luxury bespoke shoes for men, landed in Dubai for the first time and couldn’t believe it was raining. He finds Dubai amazing in its size and scale.
The Event that took place in Andrew Martin showroom in DIFC, was an exclusive showcasing of Pierre Corthay’s made to measure and ready to wear collection of unique men’s shoes and his way of introducing himself to Dubai customers.
I had a great pleasure to be there, take pictures for you and chat with maestro himself.
shoeRA: After the ‘teaser’ presentation tonight, is the shop opening in Dubai your next big step?
Pierre Corthay: Yes. We are doing the same in Asia – Singapore and Korea. We came to market not just to make a presentation; we have a full set for try fitting and taking orders also. Our target is to open a shop and we are looking different locations now.
shoeRA: Dubai Mall perhaps?
Pierre Corthay: No, Dubai Mall is amazing, but we are looking for something more like a hotel. Emirates Towers for example.
shoeRA: Apart from ready to wear collection, will you offer custom design to Dubai customers too?
Pierre Corthay: Yes, we will be taking orders; shoes will be made in our Paris studio and shipped back to Dubai.
shoeRA: How long will it take from the moment of order to delivery?
Pierre Corthay: We have three different ranges – pure bespoke, 100% handmade which takes around five months for the first time customer; it takes time to find the perfect fitting, style and balance. For reordering the time is around two months and a half since we already have a mold. For ready the wear there’s no waiting time, we have them in stock. But if you want, we can twist something, for example leather, color, lining etc. That takes around two months.
shoeRA: How would you explain the process of bespoke shoe making in few basic steps?
Pierre Corthay: First step is to take the measurement and make a wood mold. Making the mold takes both technical skill and intuition what the man really wants. Then we design the model on the ‘last’ and make the try fitting. This is a leather model, 99% exact fitting of the final shoes. After the try fitting, we modify the ‘last’ where needed and then we proceed to final process – we make the upper, the lasting, the finishing etc.
shoeRA: Have you ever received an order from Dubai or Middle East and what your expectations are?
Pierre Corthay: I’ve never had orders from Dubai, but I made shoes for Lebanese men in Paris. They have very good taste for style and tradition in suits tailoring too. My feeling is that Dubai will be huge success as men here are extremely refined, they take care of their looks, beard, nails. So if you are making so much attention to this kind of detail, it will work for sure.
shoeRA: Have you ever received an order that wasn’t in line with your style and aesthetics? How do you deal with that?
Pierre Corthay: Yes, I’ve been in situation like that and I always try to advise the Client because I know what is the best for them. Fifteen years ago or more I had a very tall and heavy Client who insisted and insisted and finally I made him a pair of very sharp shoes. Of course we both were unhappy. From that day I promised I’ll never make a compromise again. Not long ago, I was in exactly the same situation again, but I said “I’ll make a pair of shoes that will suit you and if you don’t like them, it’s on me, just let me do it”. I made him a pair of shoes and after few months I met him and he sad they were perfect.
You know, the elegance is a good balance between your physical envelope and what you put on that envelope.
shoeRA: Your inspiration comes from cars, yachts, plains… what’s your favorite car?
Pierre Corthay: I have a lot favorite cars, but mostly old cars, for example Aston Martin. I love Volkswagen Karmann from 60’s – design is like a sculpture, incredible. Old cars are designed old-fashioned way, on the paper, not like today – computers are designing cars.
shoeRA: Which car do you drive?
Pierre Corthay: Old Saab
shoeRA: 9000 Turbo?
Pierre Corthay: Exactly!! How did you know?!
shoeRA: Why not design shoes for women?
Pierre Corthay: It is much more difficult to work with women! It all starts with a dream and ends up as a nightmare! (Laughs loudly)
Pierre Corthay store will open in Dubai after summer and shoe prices start from AED4,000 (€850).
Special thanks to Natalye and Jana from Platform 67.
