This factory in east London is the last in the UK still making 'lasted' baby shoes by hand
A factory in east London is the last in the UK to still produce handmade baby shoes using a traditional ‘lasted’ technique.
Designer Vivienne Lopez cuts the leather by hand, which is then stitched before being pulled over a cast to be lasted and inside socks are added in the small Leyton warehouse, home to her business Vevian.
She said: “The most difficult part of the process is the lasting. Our most popular shoes are the patent shoes – and that’s the most difficult leather to work with.
While most shoes are created as keepsakes for parents, her most unusual request came recently from Welsh fashion designer Julien MacDonald, who asked for heavy black biker boots for a young boy who wore them on the catwalk.
The production process may be lengthy but it has also proven to be a hit with international customers, who “love the made in Britain aspect, especially with the Royal Family and baby George”, says Lopez.
“What makes it possible is this amazing team in this factory. A few years ago, there was a family in Greece which owned a factory that unfortunately due to circumstances in Greece was shut down, and they have come here and brought their skills over.”
Lopez stumbled upon the idea for her business when on the hunt for a unique pair of shoes for her daughter eight years ago: “There were lots of great shoes but nothing I would want to keep, so I decided to use an old technique which is no longer around.”
Mother Zetta Kutsioni, who bought a pair for her daughter Phoebe, said: “I like that they are very different and special. The design is very particular, not something you find just anywhere.”
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