Vintage Boots

The Vintage Boots employ traditional handwelted construction techniques throughout. Each pair is hand lasted and hand welted with handmade sole stitches at 10 stitches per inch. The boots feature leather heel and toe stiffeners, with waists trimmed relatively close and rounded. Construction includes a ridge fiddle back waist, with the option to add a specially made metal toe tap as an upgrade.

The entire manufacturing process for each pair is attributed to a single artisan, from initial consultation and foot measurement through leather selection, pattern making, cutting, sewing, and finishing. This approach rejects mass-production machinery in favor of manual craftsmanship across 200 to 300 distinct stages required to create a completed boot.

The Vintage Boots are constructed using leathers sourced from established tanneries including Annonay, Weinheimer, and Horween. Customer makeups have included Horween Color 8 Montana Bison leather, selected for its durability and aging characteristics. The bison leather has demonstrated resilience across varied use conditions including mountain climbing, office wear, hiking, and deep snow environments while developing patina over time.

The Model BH Vintage Boots retail at $650 in Ichigo Ichie's ready-to-wear collection. For customers seeking customization, made-to-order options begin at approximately €800 ($950), allowing selection among different last shapes, leathers, and pattern modifications. Made-to-measure service starts at €1,300 ($1,500) including fitting shoes, with delivery times of nine to 12 months for initial pairs. Full bespoke construction begins at €2,200 ($2,500) for first pairs, with $500 reduction for subsequent orders.

The Vintage Boots are produced by Ichigo Ichie Shoemaker, founded by Lee Trung. Trung, originally from Vietnam, lived in Japan for several years working as a software engineer before pursuing shoemaking. He received training at a recognized Japanese shoemaking workshop, learning from two master craftspeople at Moge workshop. His education covered lastmaking, pattern design, handlasting, handwelting, handstitching, heel building, and finishing techniques across the traditional hand-made process.