BLACKBIRD NATURAL LEATHER FOOTWEAR BY ESQUIVEL
We had been communicating back and forth with Los Angeles-based shoemaker George Esquivel with some ideas for custom footwear and, to go along with our already strong appreciation for raw denim and other aging products, we found it very fitting to go forward with a boot made from completely natural, untanned leather. These boots and shoes have been a long time coming and we are very happy to have a final product to show to our customers.
As with all Esquivel shoes, these are completely hand made down in the USA in a process which takes over one hundred steps to complete followed by another two weeks to allow for each shoe to dry naturally on their last/mold to ensure that they perfectly retain their shape. Due to the easily manipulative nature of this natural leather, each of these steps has become a white glove process from start to finish to lessen the possibility of marks on the shoes previous to purchase.
The natural leather comes from a tannery in Norway which has remained family run since the late 1800s and supplies leathers for luxury houses around the world. This leather has had only a neutral color cream applied and is, as mentioned above, otherwise purely natural. Each pair is going to age and darken through wear, exposure to sunlight, and overall how they are treated by the wearer. Within weeks no two pairs are going to look anything alike!
If the wearer prefers the clean "nude" look of the natural leather, we recommend a neutral color wax to be applied prior to wear. This will help keep away dirt as you wear them. Otherwise, The shoes will be quick to take in wear and dirt to become unique to the wearer.
Both styles use McKay Construction (the patent of which was purchased by Gordon McKay from cobbler and inventor Lyman Blake), or stitch down construction. This construction method helps create a comfortable and easy to wear aesthetic which, along with the cork midsole, will break into the wearer's foot within days.
These shoes are available only at Blackbird!
As with all Esquivel shoes, these are completely hand made down in the USA in a process which takes over one hundred steps to complete followed by another two weeks to allow for each shoe to dry naturally on their last/mold to ensure that they perfectly retain their shape. Due to the easily manipulative nature of this natural leather, each of these steps has become a white glove process from start to finish to lessen the possibility of marks on the shoes previous to purchase.
The natural leather comes from a tannery in Norway which has remained family run since the late 1800s and supplies leathers for luxury houses around the world. This leather has had only a neutral color cream applied and is, as mentioned above, otherwise purely natural. Each pair is going to age and darken through wear, exposure to sunlight, and overall how they are treated by the wearer. Within weeks no two pairs are going to look anything alike!
If the wearer prefers the clean "nude" look of the natural leather, we recommend a neutral color wax to be applied prior to wear. This will help keep away dirt as you wear them. Otherwise, The shoes will be quick to take in wear and dirt to become unique to the wearer.
Both styles use McKay Construction (the patent of which was purchased by Gordon McKay from cobbler and inventor Lyman Blake), or stitch down construction. This construction method helps create a comfortable and easy to wear aesthetic which, along with the cork midsole, will break into the wearer's foot within days.
These shoes are available only at Blackbird!
... and onto the photos!
Esquivel for Blackbird - Hobo Shoes
in natural
DETAILS: made from natural, untanned leather which will age over time to be completely unique to the wearer; sizing runs about a half size large
sizes: 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11
$750
Esquivel for Blackbird - Hobo Boots
in natural
DETAILS: made from natural, untanned leather which will age over time to be completely unique to the wearer; sizing runs about a half size large
sizes: 8, 9, 10, 11
$795
WORN IN SAMPLES
These two pairs were worn off-and-on for close to two months with no treatment prior to use and no shoe trees while in use. Like our 9 month Tanner belt sample shown below, the leather can become very dark. The appearance of the product will depend on how you treat and care for them!
These two pairs were worn off-and-on for close to two months with no treatment prior to use and no shoe trees while in use. Like our 9 month Tanner belt sample shown below, the leather can become very dark. The appearance of the product will depend on how you treat and care for them!
Example of how much the color can change.
Natural leather belts by Tanner
left - 9 months wear
right - new
Natural leather belts by Tanner
left - 9 months wear
right - new