A Conversation Between Scales
There are shoes that are beautiful, and then there are shoes that are a culmination of everything one has learned, endured, and refined over decades. The Rodriguez Adelaide Oxford belongs firmly in the latter category.
When I began designing this piece for our 1202 Heritage Collection, I wasn’t thinking about trends or commerce. I was thinking about the highest expression of my craft — the kind of shoe where nothing is compromised, where every detail is a deliberate decision, and where time is irrelevant in the pursuit of perfection.
The upper is cut from Nile Crocodile of the highest grade, sourced from HCP — the Hermès-owned tannery renowned for producing the most refined exotic leathers in the world.
With crocodile, the scale pattern is nature’s fingerprint. For each pair, the left and right must mirror each other in rhythm and proportion — a task that demands meticulous planning, precise cutting, and the use of two separate skins for a single pair.
I chose to forgo the traditional cap toe so that the uninterrupted texture of the crocodile could take center stage, allowing the leather to speak for itself. The clean expanse of the vamp is framed by the signature Adelaide design lines, which sweep around the facings in a form that is sharp yet elegant — a balance of authority and grace.
Every stage of construction is performed exactly as I would for my bespoke clients: hand-lasting, hand-welting, outsole stitching by hand, and hand-finishing.
Beneath the surface lies a double-beveled almond waist — a sculptural detail for those who appreciate architecture underfoot — and a pitched heel whose elegant curve begins at the heel collar and sweeps gracefully to the ground.
This is a shoe that takes seven to eight months to deliver, not because of delay, but because such work cannot be hurried.
My small team and I touch every stage personally. We let the leather guide our hands, the form emerge naturally, and the finish evolve layer by layer until it reflects a depth of color and character that machines cannot imitate.
The Rodriguez Adelaide Oxford is not a shoe for everyone — and that is precisely the point. It is a rarefied object for those who understand that true luxury is not about price, but about provenance, patience, and the privilege of owning something that will never be commonplace.
This shoe is not the result of market research or seasonal trends. It is the product of an uncompromised process, rare materials, and the patience to let both reach their highest expression. Those who commission it will understand that its value lies far beyond its price.
Warm regards,
Norman Vilalta
- Hand-lasted and hand-welted with a hand stitched out sole
- Nile Crocodile Skin sourced from HCP
- Black box calf lining
- Double beveled waist
- Handmade patina in mocha
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Delivery in 6 to 7 months
To place your order with a 50% deposit, use the code MTODEPOSIT during checkout.
Please note that the color and patina may vary slightly depending on the resolution of your computer screen.