Catching up with bespoke shoemaker Peter Feeney

There have been some big changes in Peter Feeney’s life since last I wrote about him. In his personal life, the young Toronto shoemaker has had another child. Always something to celebrate. In his professional life, he’s moved to a new location, hired more workers and stepped up his craft and style. Great news for us sartorially minded Hogtowners.

The development of Peter’s business came as great news to me because I know how hard it is to be a craftsperson in this city. A couple of years ago, Peter started to get so busy he outgrew his previous (small, windowless) space and had to move. And thankfully for his family life, he found a new (large, bursting with natural light) space just steps from his home. He has also brought more shoe makers on board, so that now all work is done on site (he used to have an outside worker stitch uppers).

And it’s the development of Peter’s craft that I’m most excited about. He now offers a range of last shapes, including tapered or chiselled, French or full. He has been working hard, with his newly expanded staff, to improve techniques, with more hand stitched construction. In fact, Peter now does almost all hand-sewn welts and tells me he wants to only offer his bespoke service, moving away from Made-to-Measure and glued soles. Which is a seriously positive step for our shoe culture.

Peter has seen that culture develop since he returned to Toronto from his apprenticeship in Florence several years ago. More and more of his customers “get it” and he has to do less convincing and educating. I also find it comforting that most of his customers are local. Slowly but surely, we are developing sartorially as a city.

With all this in mind, Peter has started making me a pair of shoes, my second from him. I have learned a lot myself in the years since my first pair, the biggest lesson being simplicity. I love the first shoes he made me and they fit better than ever after a few years of use. But I have to admit that despite what I thought of as understated at the time, the shoes are rather bold (for me). As a result, I don’t wear them that often. I want to remedy that with this pair: something that will see weekly use. I also want Peter’s craftsmanship to be on display.

A pair of chukkas currently in process, similar to what Peter will make for me.

So I’ve asked for a pair of Norweigan welted chukkas in a mid-brown leather, with leather soles. I think the height of the boots, combined with the sweeping lines of the quarters, will show off Peter’s last shape particularly well. I’m sticking with the same last shape as my previous pair, a rounded toe that’s slightly elongated.

I will report back when the shoes are complete.