Shabbies Amsterdam

Blue Boot by Shabbies Amsterdam $485.00 242.50

Shabbies Amsterdam Brown Boots $515.00 257.50

Ankle Boots by Shabbies Amsterdam $380.00 190.00

He began by making made-to-measure footwear in the best quality leathers and he retains this craftsman like mentality when designing every last shoe or boot for Shabbies Amsterdam.

                In 1976 Fred de la Bretoniere received the award for best shoe and bag designer in the Netherlands, one of his first major accolades in the business. Since then his reputation for quality of both design and materials has spread far beyond his homeland. Shabbies Amsterdam is now a well-respected international company with over 120 employees.

                One of the most characteristic features of Shabbies Amsterdam’s shoes and boots is the use of slightly ‘unfinished’ looking leather. During the early years of Fred de le Bretoniere’s design career he visited as many leather tanneries as possible in order to better understand one of the basic processes needed to create his product. In one case, while watching the finishing stages of the leather tanning, de la Bretoniere said “Stop! Or you’ll make it too perfect!” He wanted the leather to appear natural, and full of character. This is why his products are tanned using vegetable extracts, so like the material on a pair of jeans, it will change and develop with wear.

                Another distinctive feature of some of de la Bretoniere’s designs for Shabbies Amsterdam is a delicately frayed accent on the shaft of the boot. This is one example of the small but unique detail that goes into the otherwise simplistic designs for the brand. While the pieces may be understated there is always some element of surprise in the detail of de la Bretoniere’s boots and shoes.

                Shabbies Amsterdam is a well known and respected label amongst fashion forward people with individual style.