Since releasing the first style from our new Hand Stitch Collection earlier this year, the Harlestone Derby has gone on to become our second bestselling style following closely behind our Classic Overstone Derby.
The collection highlights the pinnacle of luxury sneakers by utilising high quality materials and traditional footwear construction. The design and styling was created with a firm focus on producing the very best 'Dress Sneaker' possible. All of which sits side by side with the world class standards Northampton made, welted and dress shoes have set for centuries.
When we say the best materials and construction possible, we mean inside and out to cover all elements of the sneaker from the vegetable tanned lining, waxed cotton laces, cork filled Lactae Hevea soles, right down to the oak bark tanned stiffeners and toe puffs that form the long lasting structure that will stand strong for years to come. And don't just take our word for it. View the video at the bottom of this page from Rose Anvil where their host Weston forensically dissects a pair of our Horween Shell Cordovan Harlestone's to reveal the true quality and materials that goes into each individual pair. Weston described them as 'The highest quality sneakers in the world'!
As we love shell cordovan so much at Crown Northampton and with the models in No 8 and Bourbon proving to be so popular, we decided to source two new colours from our local leather merchants, who happen to be the only official Horween stockists in the UK and are located right here in Northampton. The two new colours will form part of our core shell cordovan offering and will be available on a made to order basis in sizes UK 6 - 14, with a choice of Off White, Black or Gum soles - Wider G fit available on request. As can be seen in images, we have gone with Horween's classic Black and Dark Cognac colours which look great in differing light due to cordovan's signature glossy finish. The Dark Cognac is a browner tone than the No 8 which has a deeper red hue.
Shell cordovan is a fantastic leather that's very special and unique due to rich elegance and the way it wears and develops over time. Thought of as the best leather in the world, it's extremely durable and can literally last a lifetime if properly cared for. Securing shells to work with can be a challenge in itself and requires patience. Demand from all the top shoemakers around the world is generally a lot higher than the available supply. We're honoured to be one of the select few brands that can produce footwear made with the Horween Company's top tier material.
View the full Hand Stitch Horween Shell Cordovan Collection here.
