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MAKERS OF FINE SHOES | HANDCRAFTED | LEGACY & HONOUR

Made in England

NORTHAMPTON

Discuss with our retail staff your favoured colour, material, style and last, and create a unique pair of hand-crafted shoes or boots to your own specification.

The Art of Goodyear Welted Shoes

At WILFRED & FRAZER, we pride ourselves on the timeless artistry of crafting high-quality Goodyear welted shoes. This meticulous process, rooted in centuries-old hand-making traditions, demands a skilled workforce and a dedication to perfection.

The manufacturing journey of our shoes is a labor-intensive, 8-week masterpiece, involving over 200 distinct operations. Each step is a testament to the exceptional strength, durability, and comfort that define our footwear.

Art of Pattern Cutting

In the inaugural stage of crafting footwear at WILFRED & FRAZER, precision takes center stage with the art of Pattern Cutting. As a pivotal phase in our design and development process, Pattern Cutting sets the foundation for perfection, ensuring that each pair of shoes attains the highest standards of quality.

The journey commences when our Managing Director finalizes a design or style, initiating a collaborative discussion with our skilled Pattern Cutters. These craftsmen play a crucial role in translating the envisioned design into a tangible pattern, and they understand that the essence of excellence lies in the details.

Craft of Clicking

In the dynamic tapestry of crafting exceptional footwear at WILFRED & FRAZER, the second stage unfolds with the artful mastery of Clicking. Amidst an abundance of high-quality European calf, grain, and suede, our skilled clickers stand poised, armed with more than just ordinary knives; they wield precision instruments that transform leather into the heart of our exquisite creations.

The leather stores within our workshop overflow with a curated selection of the finest European calf, grain, and suede, each piece representing a promise of quality and elegance. As our clickers step into action, their knives become extensions of their expertise, and the dance between craftsman and material commences.

Artistry of Closure

In the heart of our workshop at WILFRED & FRAZER, the Closing Room stands as a testament to the pinnacle of craftsmanship. Boasting over 100 dedicated artisans, this bustling department is the pulsating core where our meticulously crafted components come together, and every pair of shoes reaches its final form.

More than just a department, the Closing Room is a realm of precision, housing a myriad of operations that surpass the complexity of any other section in our factory. Here, the fusion of skill, dexterity, and patience is a daily ritual as our artisans meticulously complete the final stages of the shoemaking process.

Essence of Preparation

At WILFRED & FRAZER, the stage of Preparation is where the alchemy of shoemaking truly begins, symbolizing the gathering of all essential components required to breathe life into our extraordinary footwear. Under the hallmark of our distinctive craftsmanship, many components are meticulously produced in-house, exemplifying our commitment to quality and attention to detail.

In the spirit of WILFRED & FRAZER, Preparation is more than a stage; it’s the genesis of each pair of shoes. Here, meticulous planning and execution come together, ensuring that every component aligns seamlessly to create a masterpiece. From the cutting of heels to the crafting of insoles and soles, our artisans in the heel and sole departments operate as small workshops within themselves, tirelessly contributing to the excellence that defines our brand.

The Lasting Artistry

In the art of shoemaking, ‘Lasting’ at WILFRED & FRAZER transcends a mere technique; it is a transformative process where the upper is carefully pulled over the last, shaping each shoe with precision. The last, akin to a shoemaker’s closely guarded secret, forms the foundation of our craft, weaving together heritage and innovation. Discover the essence of lasting at WILFRED & FRAZER, where each pair is a testament to the timeless artistry that defines our brand.

Lasting is a dance between form and craft, where the upper embraces the last, giving birth to the unique contours of our footwear. At WILFRED & FRAZER, this process is not just a step; it’s a delicate art that imparts character, ensuring that each pair of shoes bears the mark of meticulous attention to detail.

The Making Magic

Step into the heart of WILFRED & FRAZER’s artisanal journey through the enchanting stage of Making, where legendary ‘Goodyear-welting’ stitching machines weave together tradition and innovation. As the inaugural shoe factory on this side of the Atlantic to embrace cutting-edge technology with the c1910 welt sewing machine, our founders, the industrious Messrs. Crockett & Jones, propelled us into a realm of unparalleled production, reaching a remarkable 600 pairs per day.

Within the Making stage at WILFRED & FRAZER, our famed ‘Goodyear-welting’ stitching machines are the stars, breathing life into each pair of shoes.

Material

MAKING

At WILFRED & FRAZER, we elevate the craft of shoemaking by placing paramount importance on the sourcing of the most critical element in our high-quality English footwear – Leather.

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