Last edited by The_Shooman (2006-03-29 09:19:37)
FNB, TimelessRider's pictures say it all. Some Vass shoes are beautiful while others are not. Most will agree that the workmanship is excellent. I own a pair on the U last as well a pair on the P last. Bothare elegant as well as comfortable.
Working with Gabor was a pleasure. He is a gentleman and I hope he stays with this forum, giving both his time and expertise.
http://www.vass-shoes.com/shoes.htm
As Ernest might say, "Vass is for peasant"
Having some knowledge of the subject and following the flow of comments...
I was in Budapest last summer and had a pair made. I did my homework and met with Mr. Halmos in New York, who was very generous with his time, and provided a lot of useful information. I wear a 7 C in Allen Edmonds last #5, which fits perfectly. Alas, it is no longer available, even on special order, except for 1 model I own in triplicate. So, I cannot be fit anymore by stock sizes in the U.S. (or Budapest, see below).
As Vass had no stock sizes for me I was carefully measured by Ms. Vass, and details discussed. The shoes arrived as promised, and were beautiful: cognac, pebble grained, Norweigan split toe (photo in the London Lounge shoe photojournal). The fit was quite snug, and problematic in the region of the right big toe/sesamoid bone (as I recall from anatomy class). Vass identified the problem via my email photos and graciously re-lasted the shoes, and they are now very wearable. So much so, that I ordered a new pair last week, of their Old England in black calf.
Contrast this with my excursion into the world of so called MTM Edward Green. As I live in Washington, and had access to a trunk shoe, and "expert" fitting (at a $100 surcharge) with bizarre pricing due to my rare but "stock" size (also surcharged), I ended up with a 5 1/2 (U.K.) D fitting (U.K.), last 202. Unwearable at a $1,000. Advice received from Edward Green: "stretch them, they'll be fine, have a spot of tea..."
Vass vs. Edward Green? No contest. I'd choose Vass every time. Readers in the NYC area are fortunate to have Mr. Halmos in their neighborhood. The shoes are really quite impressive. Take a look at Bergdorff's. You are dealing with a small artisinal business not a multi-tiered corporate English nightmare with bandits masquerading as gentlemen. At least that's my opinion.
Vass is for peasant.
http://img53.imageshack.us/my.php?image=buda43310516bordeauxanilou3dg.jpg
And for the lady peasant.
http://img95.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ulastchukka3ft.jpg
Oh, and apparently according to a source that loves Vass
"Edward Green shoes are hunks of junk unworthy of praise or money"
For English shoes, I'm rather fond of Crockett & Jones, especially Crockett & Jones Paris.
They are about $200 cheaper than Edward Green.
A brilliant discussion of Vass RTW headed by JCusey at AAAC. (Hope it alright to provide a link FNB).
http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50544
After reading the commentary, l had the most amazing Vass dreams. l didn't want to wake up the dreams were so good.
Ronny.
Last edited by The_Shooman (2006-05-24 01:53:14)
Last edited by The_Shooman (2006-03-30 07:44:29)