CLASSIC BRITISH FOOTWEAR NAMES

Two famous old English shoe names, Cheaney and Church, have come together in a move to gladden the hearts of shoe aficionados everywhere.

The Church’s brand was purchased from the family in 1999 by Prada, which subsequently acquired Cheaney. Now two members of the Church family who had been on the Church’s board have resigned from there and bought out the Cheaney brand from Prada.

Jonathan and William are the two Church cousins who completed this management buyout, the fifth generation of their family to be involved with the Church’s company since it was launched by three Church brothers in 1873.

On the right, classic welted brogues from Cheaney, in shoe and boot styles. Below, two more elegant variations from the latest collection.

Cheaney’s started just a few years later in 1886, and built up a similarly impressive business, making beautifully crafted shoes appreciated around the world by men who want quality and classic style.

Now, under a management steeped in the best of shoemaking history, Cheaney is back on course.

SHOE SERVICE ON THE ROW

More shoes. You can't have too many, as Imelda Marcus would have said. And these are coming to the Savile Row showroom of Stower Bespoke.

Carreducker is a relative newcomer to the British shoemaking craft, and one that we have featured before. The company started in 2004 and is dedicated to using the finest materials, applying traditional techniques, and offering styles that combine classic quality with a modern approach.

Now some of this footwear is to be found within the Stowers premises, including brogues, boots and plain leather lace-ups. They also make the loafers below in tweed by Dashing Tweeds.

Bespoke handsewn orders start at £1,500 and appointments for fittings may be made at Stowers. Once a last is made subsequent orders are from £1000. Ready-to-wear shoes are from £500 and are made for Carreducker by Trickers.

RECYCLING FOR TOP SPECS

LATEST VOGUE in sun glasses is for vintage models - another form of the recycling that is in favour. New site, Retrosun, is all about these shapes from former days and by top designers - Dior, Paloma Picasso, Gucci, Ray Ban to name but a few.

Most of these have never been worn. And irrespective of the age of the frame, each pair of Retrosun sunglasses are fitted with optical quality class 1 lenses that offer total absorption of harmful UV rays and surpass present EEC optical requirements. Interestingly, materials and manufacturing processes exceed current day standards. Customers may have prescription lenses fitted.

This pair were featured at Fashion East, the young fashion wing, during London Fashion Week. www.retrosun.co.uk