Welcome 2021
For our first group-made-to-order of the year, we created a diverse and refreshing offering of designs to give you something new and exciting to look forward to in 2021.
Our first shoe is our Joseph Double Monk Shoe, a shoe that we are excited to bring back. Joseph is our cap toe double monk featuring our asymmetric pattern with no center back seam, silver buckles, our signature embroidered insole, and a lightweight, comfortable and durable Vibram Gumlite Commando Sole.
We selected our Orion patina, a popular patina of ours because it is subtle but still adds a bit of color and personality. Orion looks nearly black in the evening, but a deep blue shines when exposed to light. The color compliments formal and work attire but also can be paired down with dark denim.
Joseph derives it’s name from Josep Dalmau, the painter and art restorer who is credited for bringing avant garde art to Spain. He also owned the renown Galeries Dalmau in Barcelona where many famous artists of the time exhibited their work and he promoted the very first art exhibition for Joan Miro, one of our other great inspirations.
Our second shoe is our new Ramon Cap Toe Balmoral Derby Boot in cognac castorino suede. Ramon features four eyelets and two brass speed hook lacing, a vamp, lower quarters, and heel counter that are lasted from one piece of suede, a comfortable unlined shaft, and our duende embroidery which adorns the heel.
We selected a storm welt for Ramon to give the boot a slightly wider foundation with an additional wall which hugs the upper and provides added protection from the weather. We also included a Vibram Button Sole which gives off the appearance of a double leather sole, but delivers the cushion and comfort that you can expect from Vibram.
Ramon is a cousin of our Marsella Boot and like many of our shoes, the name is inspired by the rich history of art in Barcelona. Ramon is named after Ramon Casas, a Spanish painter and main financer of Els Quatre Gats, a café that was modeled after the famous Le Chat Noir in Paris. Like the Marsella Bar and Le Chat Noir, Els Quatre Gats is an old haunt where many famous artists of the city would frequent, exchange ideas, and inspire one another.
Our third shoe is our Joaquin Loafer in vegano inca grain calf leather and a handmade dark oak patina. Joaquin is a new version of our tassel loafer with a chiseled toe, carefully hand stitched apron, embroidered and padded insole, and leather sole painted in red.
The application of the round apron with the chiseled toe creates a well-balanced composition of shapes that is simple and elegant. The slim silhouette can easily be worn with dress attire or casually on the weekend away from the city.
Joaquin is named after Joaquin Torres Garcia, a Uruguayan / Spanish artist and Renaissance man who would frequent Els Quatre Gats and exhibited at Galeries Dalmau. In Barcelona his work can be found in beautiful stain glass windows of the Sagrada Familia and large frescoes of the Palace of the Generalitat of Catalunya.
Our final shoe is our new Luis Balmoral Derby Shoe in vegano inca grain calf leather and a marron mediterraneo patina. Luis combines a number of design elements to create a bold but well balanced shoe. The derby features a cap toe and balmoral seam accented with brogues and gimping, four eyelet lacing, and a vamp, tongue, lower quarters, and heel counter lasted from one piece of leather.
The even repetition of the brogues and gimping contrasted with the free spirited lines and uneven texture of the grain calf, the added body of the storm welt, and the sharp and solid lines of our chiseled toe last create a prominent and striking design that is dignified and refined.
Luis is named after Luis Domenech i Montaner, an influential architect of Barcelona who is responsible for many art nouveau buildings throughout the city including the Casa Lleo Morera, Palau de La Musica Catalana, and Casa Fuster. His designs were ornate yet balanced, combining elements of nature with modern and industrial materials.
Our Joseph Double Monk, Ramon Cap Toe Balmoral Derby Boot, Joaquin Loafer, and Luis Balmoral Derby Shoe are now available as a group-made-to-order through the end-of-day Tuesday, February 2nd. All shoes are bench made, Goodyear-welted, and hand finished by our artisan team in Barcelona, Spain. This process includes the use of glass, sandpaper, inks, creams, waxes, fire and multiple iron tools to achieve a bespoke quality finishing that the Norman Vilalta brand has become known for.
We accept a 50% deposit using the code GMTODEPOSIT during checkout to place an order. The balance will be collected before final shipment. For those of you who aren’t accustomed to made-to-order shoes, be sure to review our latest ready-made offering.
Subscribe to our newsletter for all product launches and private promotions and our YouTube page for a more dynamic look at our shoes. If you have any questions please email sales@normanvilalta.com.
