For this series, we wanted to show you what us makers at Crown Northampton are all about. Over the coming months, we will touch on our favourite sneakers, how they fit, what we are wearing, Northampton, and all things factory.
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Staff Member: Chris Woodford
Job Title: Owner, Design and Pattern Cutter
What does it entail and how long have you done it?
I am a fifth-generation shoemaker. I started pattern cutting 30 years ago, learning at college, but the best training came from seasoned pattern cutters in the trade. My design style is driven by highlighting the quality of materials and the skillset of our staff in a minimal way, with every stitch being for a reason. The owner part is just circumstantial!
What’s that like?
Variable! Loads of work, not a great deal of sleep, but mostly a privilege.
What sneakers are you currently wearing?
Abbey in Natural Horween Deerborn.
Why are you wearing them?
Mainly because it is our newest sneaker, and I wanted to see if it felt as soft as we intended. That was a while ago, and I am still wearing them as they really work for me being on my feet all day.
What do you wear them with?
I am not fashion-led, so pretty much everything. I lean more towards casual, so t-shirt and jeans or shorts without socks during hotter days. As it's vegetable-tanned leather, they will patina and darken over time, which is a look I really like.
Can you describe how they feel on?
A bit like I have found a cheat in a game. Our Abbey sneakers are an unusual combination of structure with the feel of a slipper. As they are unlined, they feel much more flexible than standard sneakers, super soft with very little break-in time. The Lactea Havea sole feels even more tactile than usual, like it was meant for this combination of components. I am a standard UK 9 / US 10, so went with the size 9, which fits really well.
Introducing the Abbey Unlined Sneaker
What is your favourite Crown Northampton sneaker so far and why?
No.8 and Bourbon Cordovan Harlestone Derbies. Why something is made matters as much as what it is for me. The decision to use Horween Shell Cordovan alongside the finest components without worrying about cost implications was a big decision for us. We had no idea if it would sell but believed that people appreciate quality and care about what they are buying. The internet has enabled us to show that the value of an expensive item lies more in its quality and craftsmanship than in its marketing. This was the birth of our hand-stitch or dress sneaker range, which has come to mean so much to us.
Read more: The Birth of Hand-Stitch Dress Sneakers
I also love the look of cordovan; there really is nothing like it. It has such depth of colour that looks alive as the light moves across it. It’s a much more structured feeling sneaker than the Abbey, but after a few weeks when all the components have moulded to my foot, it’s what I wear to special occasions with a matching Crown Northampton belt.
What do you enjoy most about working at Crown Northampton?
That has changed as I have gotten older, when I was young (before online business) I loved to travel and have my shoes for sale in department stores. The older I have got the more I appreciate being able to give jobs and careers to people. The more I think of others the more enjoyable I find work. I have also always loved being creative which I am always able to be here!
And finally, just to be nosy, any hobbies or interests outside of work?
I have two small children so not much spare time. Trips to the pub with friends when I get a chance, I do have a dog which forces me up early for some nice walks. His name is Forrest and is vary much on brand, an English endangered breed called a Curly Coat Retriever.
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Stay tuned for more stories and insights from Team Crown in the upcoming instalments of Meet the Makers. At Crown Northampton, we believe that our people are the heart of our craftsmanship, and we hope you enjoy us sharing our stories with you.
