Behind the Scenes of Handmade English Shoes at 1812
As much as can be shared through our website and social channels, far more unfolds behind the curtain. At 1812, the unseen is as vital as what is presented. Few brands have invested so deeply in cultivating a culture of design, craftsmanship, and innovation within English shoemaking.
By the time a pair of handmade English shoes reaches the pre-order stage, it has already been shaped by hundreds of perspectives. Colour and material specialists, cultural forecasters, data analysts, master shoemakers, and factory artisans, each contributes to the refinement of every detail. Added to this are the creative teams who work across digital, retail, and visual identity, ensuring that the finished piece resonates as both product and symbol.
Design at 1812 is a craft with many dimensions. It is technical, aesthetic, symbolic, and ethical. Above all, it is the bridge between two intricate systems: the human body in motion and the crafted object that must respond to it. Each curve, proportion, and stitch is guided not only by the principles of luxury footwear but also by the evolving ideals of performance, elegance, and individuality.
The Complexity of Craft
Making luxury handmade shoes is an extraordinarily intricate art. The creation of a trainer is no less demanding. On average, it requires around 22 distinct materials, assembled into 40 individual components, and brought together through hundreds of precise and deliberate actions. This intricate puzzle finds resolution during the design phase known as prototyping.
Following the traditions of master cordwainers, 1812 designers build over a last sculpted to reflect the compound curves of the human foot. Each prototype is more than a form study; it is a functional test piece, scrutinised for structure, comfort, and aesthetic harmony.
The prototyping process follows a measured rhythm, guided by an extended design brief that evolves through stages, refining structure, selecting materials, and exploring visual language. This cycle repeats, often many times, until the design reaches the uncompromising standard required for production.
Every creation must navigate delicate trade-offs: strength and flexibility, durability and lightness, quality and expense. Perfection, in this context, is not absolute. It is the precise resolution of form and function for a specific purpose, crafted for its moment in time.
A Culture of Collaboration
From its inception, 1812 has thrived on collaboration. The brand has drawn inspiration from musicians, street artists, designers, customisers, and, most importantly, its own customers. This openness has cultivated authenticity — a deep emotional connection between the brand and those who wear its designs. Responsiveness has been a defining advantage, enabling 1812 to serve an ever-expanding global audience while remaining true to its creative vision.
Independent of conventional seasonal constraints, 1812 operates as a singular source of truth within the English footwear industry. It acts as both custodian and innovator, preserving craft while redefining its boundaries. For years, a vast archive of design material — one of the richest in the world of shoemaking — existed solely within the company, inspiring new work from behind the scenes.
The Journal: Opening the Archive
Through the 1812 Journal, these treasures are shared for the first time. The story unfolds in four chapters, each combining an essay on cultural history with a selection of artefacts from the archive. Appendices to each design allow readers to hear directly from the voices; often unsung — of those who have shaped 1812 footwear into reality.
Every stitch, contour, and finish is the result of intelligence and care. The hope is that the next time you see footwear in motion, it appears not simply as product, but as an expression of collective imagination brought vividly to life.
The Imaginarium
At the heart of 1812 lies a sanctuary of imagination. The Imaginarium is where memory, artistry, and emotion merge into a single current of creativity. It is both crucible and gallery, an emporium of thought in which inspiration is forged into tangible form. Here, the extraordinary development of each design takes shape, where English shoemaking is not only preserved but continuously reinvented.
For those who value true artistry, 1812 offers more than luxury footwear. It offers entry into a world where heritage and modernity meet, where craftsmanship becomes innovation, and where English shoemaking is redefined for a new era.
