Parisian shoe powerhouse Aubercy has recently included one of its bespoke models, Le Harry, in what they call their Petite Mesure line.
Petite Mesure is not really something that has a direct English translation, but it is essentially a semi-bespoke, made-to-measure service. You can select your last, size, and width, but then have the last adapted more closely to your individual foot.
It is very much like the made-to-measure service in suiting, where you work from an existing block and then alter the details to fit the individual as best as possible, rather than creating something entirely from scratch.
At the same time, you can change the details of the shoe just as you would with a regular made-to-order service: the colors, materials, sole, buckles, etc. You can also choose between Blake-stitched and Goodyear-welted construction.
From Bespoke to Petite Mesure
The model in question is one that Aubercy historically only offered to its full bespoke clients. The Harry, or ‘Le Harry’ in French. But due to the popularity of the model, they have now decided to offer it through their Petite Mesure program as well.
And naturally, that is why I am writing about it today. Because it is just so cool, unique, beautiful, and quintessentially Aubercy.
This still isn’t ready-to-wear, but it opens the model up at a price that is certainly easier to swallow than full bespoke, while also allowing the wearer to customize it to their liking.
That is also one of the great advantages here. The downside of ready-to-wear is that you have to buy the shoe as it is. The upside of Petite Mesure is that you get to customize it and make it your own.
The Petite Mesure line starts at €1850 and takes around 3 months to complete.
Quintessentially Aubercy
What I have always loved about Aubercy is their styling and their design capabilities. They have a great eye for design and make things that are truly and uniquely theirs.
They are not afraid of colors. They are not afraid of doing things differently. And they create shoes that you are simply not going to find anywhere else. They are proud of that fact, too.
I genuinely think they are one of the top design houses in the shoe world, and this model is no exception. It is precisely why I have always loved their work.
I particularly love the style of this model, with the suede sunken vamp surrounded by the leather and those cross straps. There is just so much you can do with a design like this and so many ways to play with it and have fun.
The Possibilities
While Aubercy has made the examples shown here very elegantly, I would be interested to see this model taken in a completely different direction.
Imagine it on a commando sole — very Parisian, stomping around those cobblestone streets — perhaps in a dark brown grain leather with dark brown suede. Something a little more casual that you could easily wear with jeans.
There are endless possibilities with a model like this, and I think whoever orders one is going to have the opportunity to make something really cool.
The model is not yet up on Aubercy’s website, but you can definitely reference this blog post and/or their Instagram when reaching out to order yours.
If you’re a shoe lover like me, I can imagine you are fancying this shoe just as I did when I first saw it.
It is always a pleasure to feature Aubercy on The Shoe Snob Blog. I can’t wait to get back to Paris and see their shop again. It has been far too many years since my last visit, and when I do finally make it back, I’ll definitely make a follow-up post.
Thanks, as always, for reading, and feel free to reach out with any questions you might have.
Find out more: https://aubercy.com/en/
—Justin FitzPatrick, The Shoe Snob
Shop · Marketplace · Patreon
