Shoji Kawaguchi and Bespoke Shoes

Have you made something in bespoke?
"Bespoke" is the way you make something you like, not ready-made.
In Japan, often we use the word "order-made", but this word is Japanglish.
In English-speaking countries, people use the terms bespoke, custom-made, and made to order.
There is a tendency to use bespoke in British English and custom in American English.

In the last article, I wrote about steps to make BESPOKE SHOES.
In this one, I will introduce shoemaker Shoji Kawaguchi.

Shoji Kawaguchi was born in Fukuoka in 1980. He has been loved British fashion and culture since he was a teenager.
After graduating from Fukuoka University, He emigrated to England and studied shoemaking at the Tresham Institute, a public vocational school.

He learned how to make mass-produced shoes at school. 
But in 2002, at the Museum in Northampton, he saw the shoes made in the early 1900s and decided to make bespoke shoes.

He sent letters to various bespoke shoe companies to search for a master.

And he could meet Paul Wilson, he is a master-class shoemaker who is active in George Cleverly（ジョージ・クレバリー）and John Lobb Paris（ジョンロブ パリ）.

After learning all the processes under the master, Kawaguchi became independent and active as an out-worker for Foster & Sun（フォスターアンドサン）, Edward Green（エドワードグリーン）, Gaziano & Garling（ガジアーノ&ガーリング）, etc.
He returned to Japan in 2008 and launched his own brand, Marquess, in 2010 with his wife, who was also leaning under Paul Wilson.

In his atelier, two shoemakers and Kawaguchi make bespoke shoes every day. His wife sews leather at home.
Even if staff optimum, there is a limit of making 7-8 pairs a month.

From ordering to delivery, it takes one and a half years,  But many fans come from all over the world. When they receive the first shoes, they satisfied and often order the second one.