Δ TALK

“Bespoke shoes – a dying form of craftsmanship?”

To compliment the exhibition “TRADING STYLE – Weltmode im Dialog”, the Weltkulturen Museum presents a lively discussion between two fanatical shoe makers and designers, Wolfgang Lenz from Frankfurt and Clémentine Deliss from London. With a selection of models and shoe components from Lenz Schumacherei, Frankfurt (since 1941) and Deliss Bootmakers, London (1956-2002), this illustrated talk will tackle both the actual production of shoes and the issues surrounding the waning craft of bespoke shoemaking.

Lenz is the oldest shoemaking establishment in Frankfurt, based near the main train station in the Münchnerstraße. Wolfgang Lenz took over the company from his parents who in turn were gifted the business as a wedding present. Lenz has always insisted on producing traditional craftsmanship as well as current designs. A current model includes an adaptation of the Adidas trainer in Nubuck leather with two instead of three stripes. Handmade shoes produce posture, says Lenz, whose business today takes in more shoe repairs and alterations than the actual production of bespoke orders. Nevertheless Lenz trains young shoemakers and believes in the survival of this craft. Hannelore Elsner is just one of his prominent customers.

Deliss Bootmakers was established in 1956 in London by George and Michèle Deliss. With a workshop below the shop, five craftsmen were able to produce made-to-measure bespoke shoes, boots and matching accessories within seven days. Clémentine Deliss began designing shoes in 1978 and continued to do whilst studying anthropology and contemporary art until 2002. Customers at Deliss included Donovan, Keith Richard, Bono, Elizabeth Taylor, Jack Nicholson, Bruno Ganz, Catherine Deneuve, and Claudia Cardinale for the Werner Herzog film ‘Fitzcarraldo’. The shop and workshop closed in 2002 but were already suffering due to the lack of skilled shoemakers.

In German.

€3 / reduced €1.50 incl. refreshments.
Weltkulturen Labor, Schaumainkai 37

schließen

Δ “How are shoes made by hand?”

A glimpse behind the scenes.

To compliment the exhibition “TRADING STYLE – Weltmode im Dialog”, the Weltkulturen Museum presents an extended visit to the workshop of master shoemaker, Wolfgang Lenz.

Lenz is the oldest shoemaking establishment in Frankfurt, based near the main train station in the Münchnerstraße. Wolfgang Lenz took over the company from his parents who in turn were gifted the business as a wedding present. Lenz has always insisted on producing traditional craftsmanship as well as current designs. A current model includes an adaptation of the Adidas trainer in Nubuck leather with two instead of three stripes. Handmade shoes produce posture, says Lenz, whose business today takes in more shoe repairs and alterations than the actual production of bespoke orders. Nevertheless Lenz trains young shoemakers and believes in the survival of this craft. Hannelore Elsner is just one of his prominent customers.
In German.

www.schumacherei-lenz.de

€12 / reduced €6.
Schuhmacher Werkstatt Lenz, Münchener Straße 36, Frankfurt

schließen