Local Research is an all new footwear brand straight out of the beating heart of British Shoe-making greatness, Northampton. Surrounded by illustrious forebears such as et al. founder Mark has spent a lot of time visiting the surrounding factories, archives and employees as well as the nearby Shoe Museum prior to designing his first shoe.
For the first range Local Research worked alongside fourth generation shoe-makers George Cox who were responsible for the original ‘brothel creeper’ shoe, a firm favourite with both Teddy Boys and Punk rockers back in the day. The resulting ‘Seamer‘ shoe however is a much more contemporary looking piece of footwear that I think resembles the love-child of a three way between a Desert Trek, some Redwing Postmans and a pair of Visvim Patricians. i.e. absolutely brilliant. For those who like details they’ve got a hand-stitched vamp, leather collar and heel pull with embossed ‘LR’ branding are finished in premium Black or Sandstone suede with brass eyelets and lace hooks and all constructed on a traditional 1353 last and come in a dead smart wooden box.
Oh and for those of you who like your shoes in even limited numbers the Local Research site also has a deadstock shop where you can buy a pair of brand new Doc Martin boots or GT Hawkins penny loafers some of which date back as far as the 1970s. Today has been a great day for shoes hasn’t it?
