Skip to content

Cart

Your cart is empty

Article: Have you met The Hand?

Have you met The Hand?

For May, we put together a very special group-made-to-order with our friends in Amsterdam, Dennis and Eveline at The Hand. If you´re not familiar with The Hand, they have quickly become the go-to boutique retailer in Amsterdam for the finest quality shoes for men. 

During the last few years, the power couple have been working with a very select group of shoemakers to create an exclusive offering of shoes (including ours), and organizing wonderful events and trunk shows. As such, it was fitting to finally have a chance to launch a collaborative group-made-to-order together.

The first style of our collaboration is our high cut Rembrandt U-tip Derby Boot, a brand-new design that we created for this launch and a boot that we are very excited to wear this Winter.

Our very popular Gaspar U-Tip Derby has been a hot seller at The Hand, therefore, Norman and Dennis were eager to introduce a high-cut version to our boot rotation.

Rembrandt features an apron along the toe box that is carefully hand-stitched by our skilled team of artisans, 4 eyelet and 3 speed hook lacing, a luxurious quilted insole with padding, and a durable and comfortable Vibram Gumlite Commando Sole.

We selected vegano inca grain calf and a handmade bordeaux patina, which compliments a navy or grey suit beautifully and look fanstastic with dark denim.

Our second feature in our collaboration with The Hand is a new make-up of our popular Kerouac Derby Boot.

Dennis was eager to work on a version of his own after we introduced the elegant mid-cut boot last year.

Kerouac features French box calf from Tanneries du Puy, an elongated vamp and our chiseled toe last, simplified punching on the facings, a Vibram Rubber Button Sole, and a shaft detailed with embroidery along the back heel.

With Dennis´s feedback, we created our new Cassiopeia handmade patina, a black and blue patina that is slightly lighter than our classic Orion patina. Dennis loved our Orion patina, but wanted a version that allowed more of the beautiful blue to shine through.

The mid-cut of our Kerouac boot is the perfect height to be worn year-round and can easily be worn with dress and dress-casual attire.

Our final featured shoe is another brand-new design, our Willem Wingtip Derby Shoe in Weinheimer grain calf.

With the popularity of the Derby Simple, Norman and Dennis wanted to introduce a derby with slightly more flair.

Willem features a wingtip on our round toe last, an asymmetric pattern with no center-back seam, brogue detailing along the wingtip and facings, and a beautiful dark caramel handmade patina.

We selected a durable Vibram Gumlite Commando Sole which is lightweight and comfortable and perfect for the cobblestones of Amsterdam, Gaudi tiles of Barcelona, or concrete streets of NYC. In addition, we upgraded the sole with a 360-degree storm welt for added weather protection and a slightly bolder silhouette.

Our Willem Wingtip Derby will look great dressed up or down and will keep you dapper and comfortable throughout the day.

All shoes in our GMTO collaboration with The Hand are bench made, Goodyear-welted, and hand finished by our artisan team in Spain before shipment. 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. 

Our Rembrandt U-Tip Derby Boot, Kerouac Derby Boot, and Willem Wingtip Derby are now available in our group-made-to-order with The Hand of Amsterdam through Tuesday, May 31st.

Read more

World Shoemaking Championship 2022
justin fitzpatrick

World Shoemaking Championship 2022

We would like to congratulate our very own Kenjiro Kawashima for winning third place in the World Championship of Shoemaking at the 2022 London Super Trunk Show this past weekend. Ken presented th...

Read more
Summer in Style

Summer in Style

For June, we produced a small batch of dress-casual shoes to get you through the summer in style.   Our first is our Piet Penny Loafer, a new loafer design that we debuted this past November. Piet...

Read more