Learn to put a shine on your shoes
The first of a series of articles on maintenance includes segments on how to clean, wax and polish your favorite shoes.
“Maintenance is the sine qua non of elegance”, according to Honore de Balzac, and this is especially true for goods made of leather. So whether you wear bespoke, fashion, or good old fashioned work shoes, they need special attention and regular care to look their best.
Along with Mr. Pierre-Paul-Marie Hofflin of the Talon Rouge salon in Paris, we will also learn how to prepare and execute a glacage or spit polish. This much sought after effect takes a bit of time to learn, but with the instructions contained in this video, you will be able to give your shoes a dandified air.
Many thanks to Pierre-Paul-Marie. Stay tuned for part two of the series where you will learn how to “antique” your shoes.
http://talonrouge-pierrepaul.blogspot.com/
Great post, looking forward to part 2!
Exceptional video illustration. Many thanks to the Monsieur specialist and to Mr Alden for facilitating the demonstration.
Thanks to you both. We have quite a few interesting and practical videos coming up in the series with Monsieur Hofflin. So stay tuned.
Michael Alden
[...] ミカエルのブログ [...]
Thanks for the video. Can you please tell me what the very first think is that is put on the shoe prior to polishing? I couldn’t quite hear what you said in the video.
wonderful video.
look forward to the antique part.
Its coming up in the next weeks. Stay tuned.
Michael
Hi Tom
We applied a cleansing and nourishing shoe cream made by Saphir.
Michael
great posting. many thanks!
Hi Michael,
Thank you very much for this video, excellent content! In fact, I was not so much blown away by the polishing technique itself, but instead how gracefully Moniseur Hofflin treated the show – wearing his suit with so much style. I think that is, in essence, wearing your cloths and feeling confident vs. being worried about possible stains and wrinkels, and wear in general. Next time I polish my shoes I will also dress up and try to be as comfortable as the Moniseur. There is so much to learn!
Goodbye, and my best regards to both you Michael and Moniseur Hofflin.
Michael