Role Club
MakerAbout
Role Club is a footwear brand based in Los Angeles, California, founded in 2010. The company produces handcrafted boots inspired by 1940s silhouettes. Production centers on traditional methods and manual craftsmanship.
About
Role Club is a footwear brand based in Los Angeles, California, founded in 2010. The company produces handcrafted boots inspired by 1940s silhouettes. Production centers on traditional methods and manual craftsmanship.
History
Role Club was established by Brian Truong, also known as "Brian the Bootmaker." Truong began working with footwear in high school by customizing sneakers. He deepened his skills at Jalisco Shoe Repair, apprenticing with Ignacio Palacios, a cobbler. The brand name references Truong's mentorship under Palacios.
Manufacturing
Brian Truong constructs each pair of Role Club boots by hand in Los Angeles. The production process requires about 45 hours for each pair, including tasks such as cutting, hammering, and sewing. Truong uses vintage equipment throughout the bootmaking process and does not outsource any part of manufacturing.
Construction and materials
Role Club sources materials from tanneries in the United States and Italy. Leathers include Horween Chromexcel produced in Chicago and Italian horsehide from Maryam Tannery. Boot components include solid brass roller buckles and hand-shaped leather counters. Construction methods use a hand-welted technique without gemming.
Products
Role Club offers several boot models with a focus on engineer boots. The engineer boots use various types of leather, including hand-finished Chromexcel horsehide and Italian horsebutt. The product line also features boondocker boots modeled after 1940s military footwear and chukka boots with a three-eyelet design and low-cut top line. All Role Club boots are made to order and can be customized for individual specifications.
