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DEVELOPING THE MODELS
The beginnings of every shoe
Even before the material or the colour of a shoe is chosen, the initial concepts for the design and the lasts must be developed. The model development department is responsible for all of these steps.
Creating a favourite pair of shoes starts with drawing a detailed shoe model, either free-hand or digitally using a computer. Our designers are able to gain inspiration for this using “inspiration boards” that they have compiled, featuring a wide assortment of colours and types of shoe. If the designers are sure of how they want the shoe to look, then corresponding templates are created to enable the manufacturing of the design.
Besides developing the design, the department must also design optimally suited lasts for the shoe. The last is the cornerstone of every shoe, as it is the shaped piece made from plastic that compliments the foot’s natural shape and gives the shoes their desired fit.
Stamping department
The stamping department cuts or stamps the leather to create individual components needed for the shoe upper (shaft). These parts are either cut out by hand or using a laser cutter (this usually takes place during the preparatory stages and prototype manufacture) or are stamped using a punching knife (in batch production).
Assembly department
The assembly department is the heart of shoe production, where the shoe upper (upper part of the shoe) and sole become the finished shoe. Also in the assembly of shoes most of the work steps are carried out in skilled manual work.
Finish
As the name implies, the finishing department is the final stage of the entire footwear manufacturing process. It is the final stage before creating the end product – it all comes down to the finishing. This is the stage where the final look of the shoe is created, and where it gets its final touches. The high-quality fats and creams are applied here, giving the leather depth, protection and radiance.
The sewing department
The sewing department receives the (cut-out) individual components of the the upper shoe from the stamping department. This is done manually using a sewing machine.
Shoemaking
There are lots of steps involved in making a shoe. From developing the model in the first instance, to the stamping, sewing and putting the finishing touches to the shoe at the very end.
