Marcos Hjorn, Mary Janes

[Acquire from Marcos Hjorn]

A schoolroom shoe, rebuilt for a grown man.

Made to order in Barcelona · Vegetable-tanned calf · Horn buttons

Why it's here

The Mary Jane is among the oldest strap shoes there is, and for most of the last century men stopped wearing it. Marcos Hjorn brings it back in thick black calf with two straps and horn buttons, and it looks entirely natural on a man's foot. It earns its place for that nerve, and because every pair is made to order in a small Barcelona studio.

The object

The leather is vegetable-tanned calf from Conceria Maryam in Tuscany, stitched to a full leather sole with a low stacked heel. Two straps cross the instep and fasten with buttons cut from horn and sewn on by hand. The elastic behind each strap is dyed by hand to match.

Living with it

Wear them with wide trousers that stop at the ankle, or with a dark suit when a loafer would be too predictable. Allow ten to twelve weeks from order to delivery. The calf darkens and softens with wear, and the sole can be replaced when the time comes.

Origin: Casa Bruta studio, Barcelona, Spain
Upper: Vegetable-tanned calf, Conceria Maryam
Construction: McKay-stitched, leather sole, 2.5 cm heel
Lead time: Made to order, 10 to 12 weeks

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