NOV 6Th London Meet

[new_look]

Hello every1 Thought id start a new topic as to seperate from the birmingham subject. A OK for thursday 6th of nov. I have bought my train ticket today, and i will arrive into Kings X from doncaster at 10.25. Sorry to mess everyone around to fit round me, makes me feel a bit guilty. Hopefully i will have had chance to change into my stilettos, which i will be wearing til my feet start to hurt, in which time i will change to a more comfortable pair of also stilettos. Last meet i had to run to catch the train as they had shut the public caarpark at doncaster and i had to go about 5 mins away. Was glad i kept stilettos off while running for the train or i wouldve prubably missed it I will be leaving from Kings cross at 20.25 so have plenty of time to spare this time. Perhaps Fox or Ionic would like to stick around til this sort of time, but if not its ok. So far were expecting Me Fox Ionic Xa? maybe Dr Shoe and a couple of others. As always anyone welcome. The last meet was my first and can assure anyone that all the group are a laugh to spend a day with (wont comment on myself, thats for others to do ) Certainly a day in my diary to look forward to!! Daz

[Heelfan]

REVISED SUGGESTED SCHEDULE FOR LONDON HEEL-MEET ON THURSDAY 6th NOVEMBER (as last re-edited on Tue 4th Nov 2003): HEEL-MEET, LONDON, THURSDAY 6th NOVEMBER 2003 9.30 FGWJon arrives by train at Paddington Station and is met there by Heelfan (using their mobiles to meet - 07760 398002 and 07966 450583 respectively) before proceeding to King's Cross. 10.25 AM Daz arrives at Kings' Cross Station, and joins the already-congregated group on Platform 9 3/4 (yes, it really exists!). 10.30AM The group departs on a short, shared taxi ride to Leatherworks. 10.50 AM (approx) Visit Leatherworks factory until departure by shared taxi at about 11.50am. MIDDAY (approx) Visit The Little Shoe Box factory. 1 PM Lunchingtons (Munchingtons/Boddingtons). 2 PM to 8 PM Retail shops (Thursdays is London's late shopping night!). At this point we might split into two groups- the "Smallfoots" to do the best of thge ordinary ladies' shoeshops and the "Bigfoots" to do the few specialist retailers who cater for large ladies shoes in size 8 upwards. 8.25 PM Daz's train departs from King's Cross to Birmingham. He asks whether others can stay-on until around this time. ATTENDEES: Daz, Firefox, Ionic, Xaphod, FGWJon, me and we hope Dr. Shoe. Emma (not Emma J Nation) is coming, but didn't say whether this is to the London Meet or the Birmingham meet. Jo can't make it, but maybe one or two lurkers (such as John and Simon) might turn up again. Anyone delayed or lost normally rings Firefox's mobile: 07941 172043. I'll also take my new mobile: 07966 450583. This revised schedule can still be varied on the day, of course. Thanks to Daz for the initial idea, and LET'S HAVE A GOOD ONE! Cheerfully yours, Heelfan

[Firefox]

I'm with that, but I may go off about midday and meet up with Xa in Kensington or elsewhere if he or someone else wants to do that. Then we could all meet up somewhere central late afternoon for a meal. I'm not mad keen on LSB/leatherworks etc as it is mostly fetish/MTM/more expensive stuff, and I prefer the high street shops. But I'm quite happy to come along really. I'm pretty easy about the whole thing, but just offering the alternative if anyone wants to hit the more regular shoe stores or do something different.

[Ionic]

I think the idea was to get the Leatherwork visit over and done with first thing, LSB has crept in subsequently, then hit the High Streets. It is harder to time things the other way round. We should phone them _ I want to pin Jo down a bit firmer on what he found in Upper Street, we don't need a chase around for nothing. I cycled up and down the top half up to Highbury Corner and only found one charity shop. I got a nice Blue Guide to London museums and galleries for a bargain pound but there was nothing more than a slightly mangy croc-effect black boots 4" blade sz US10.5. Perhaps there are more further down the road but things turn first into antique shops then conventional high street chain stores towards the Angel. /I

[Heelfan]

Oh! I was hoping that Firefox and Xaphod would be included in the visit to the two manufacturers who make (to a certain extent) custom-made shoes and boots, as I thought it would be particularly useful for those two leading lights of the Movement to join us in asking one or both firms if they could consider making squarer-toed and less fetishy streetheels for us male streetheelers. There's strength in numbers if we want to demonstrate demand! That would leave the rest of the day free for the large-footed or small-footed fraternities to persue their respective retailers. Ionic - the custom manufacturer(s) can hardly be visited "First thing" if Daz's train does not arrive at King's Cross until 10.25 am. I hoped that everyone (irrespective of foot size) would be interested in visiting both manufacturers because of their ability to make special and customized stuff that can never be found in ordinary shops. But, of course, that would still leave the rest of the day free for the large-footed and the small-footed fraternities to visit their respective retailers. Although Xaphod's West London restaurant sounds an attractive place, to me it seems a little impractical to zoom down there if we are meeting-up at King's Cross in North London and the two factories are in North-East London. Also, I had been hoping that Xaphod might be able to introduce us to his maker Cypriano. Regarding Jo's recommended places - yes, I hope Jo will be kind enough to give us the details. How would the rest of you like to play it? Cheerfully yours, Heelfan

[Firefox]

Both firms will no doubt make anything you want if you show them a bunch of notes Jo suggested I split the threads, but they were getting confused so I locked the splits and you can post here for London 6th and the other one for Birmingham 29th. I'm sure we can all manage that, without discussing a meeting in Bristol/Edinburgh/Charlton-cum-Hardy or the war in Iraq or something

[Heelfan]

Well, I'm not so sure that either firm would commission a special new last (which broader, squarer-toed streetheels would need) if one of us goes in there alone. I've tried that approach (including the wad of notes) with both The Little Shoe Box and Divine Shoes (Northamptonshire) in the past, and both said that commissioning a new of lasts is not warrented just to satisfy one enquiry. However, psychologically, if a crowd of us go in and also say our overall forum now exceeds 1,000 members(!), I would hope that one or the other of those two London factories might see the viability of filling this gap in the market. It needn't take more than the first hour or two to do both places, and as Lord Kitchener said in Work War I "Your country needs YOU!". Cheerfully yours, Heelfan

[new_look]

Yet again the amazing organisational skills of Heelfan overtake mine by far. Thanks for the support. Im glad that theres a few of us going. I havent forgotten that i owe you all for your kindness before and would be happy to stand dinner or something siimilar in return. I did want to visit the Leatherworks/LSB first thing simply because of my curiosity of their styles. Rhumour has it their stuff is extremely well made and avauilable in half sizes and custom leg measurements to ensure a 'perfect' fit. I was also curious to try the 5.5inch heel as my feel havent managed to find anything so archy yet. Im pleased weve managed a sort of timetable already. Im doing away with the blocks for the day and i will be an all stiletto man, with 2 pairs to choose from, one pair that is still a bit tight and another more comfy that has been broken in Also Xa posted a number and said he would be unavailable on the board for a while. Since he showed initial interest, im concerned that he might not have th eupdate of our plans, so if someone who knows that man better than me could volounteer to phone him then that would be great. Look forward to seeing you all again. Daz

[Heelfan]

Well, having had the above posting from Daz and a PM from Ionic, both say that they like my suggested schedule, although Ionic wisely suggested changing the moving-off time from 11 am to 10.45 am (which I've done) and also agreed with those of us who thought that Xa's well-intentioned lunchtime venue in Kensington fell into the wrong part of London in relation to the rest of our itinerary. In view of the majority's wish to proceed with the proposed schedule, can't we encourage Firefox and Xaphod to join us for friendship's sake on this particular occasion, rather than holing-up separately right over in West Ken? Xaphod is only contactable by phone at present and will be missing these postings. Therefore, I hope we can hear again from Firefox before telephoning any concensus (or lack of it!) through to Xaphod. Cheerfully yours, Heelfan

[Bubba136]

Perhaps a survey of how many of the 1,000 registered members here owned shoes made by LSB would be in order. The purpose for which would be to present statistics to LSB to support the manufacture of different style heels for men. I own two pair myself. And, I'm thinking of buying one more pair in the near future.

[Ionic]

Perhaps a survey of how many of the 1,000 registered members here owned shoes made by LSB would be in order.

You could easily do this with a poll but include a zero as well as 1, 2, 3 ... more than > x.

My problem, or one of my problems, with LSB, and this was many years ago, was that their lasts seem to be very wide at the heel and very narrow at the toe whereas I am the other way round. Result = agony.

I hope they are better now.

/I

[Firefox]

I have left a message on Xa's answerphone Daz. His mobile was switched off so he may well be pirating on the high seas at the moment. Perhaps he will board a shoe cargo ship from Spain, and demand as many pairs of boots as his yacht will carry. They will take one look at his pirate's thigh boots and be sure to hand over the ransom

[xaphod]

OK, guys,

King's Cross it is. My train can get me to Kings's X by about 1050, assuming the Northern line is OK.

I was up for a visit to Leatherworks 9/10, but not for LSB 3/10. If we are going to see lots of shops in north London, then that will not leave a lot of time doing the mainstream shops.

Cyprianou is in Bounds Green, but I think he would not be too amused having lots of people invade his small shop. If someone is really interested in buying a pair of custom made shoes (we're talking north of £500 here), then I'll give you his phone number and you can arrange an appointment, but a lot of guys coming just to gawp is not where he's at.

Oh, BTW, I came back a bit early.

Xa

[jo]

As far as I know both Leatherworks and TLSB open well before 10:00, but both shut promptly at 17:00 or so (and with morning-only opening on Saturdays). I would advise phoning first. Both places may be overwhelmed if more than about 5 or 6 people want to go in all together. Check in advance.

As for the shops in Upper Street and the vicinity, there were actually a couple of charity shops at the Angel end of Islington High Street and then a number of boutiques and dress agencies at the Upper Street end of that road. Stock changes all the time of course, but several shops had some wonderful (one off) 5 inch heeled boots, when I last looked. It will be hit and miss what you find. I really do think that it is better to visit such places in ones and twos rather then drop in as a massive overwhelming group.

[Dr. Shoe]

Well, I'm not so sure that either firm would commission a special new last (which broader, squarer-toed streetheels would need) if one of us goes in there alone. I've tried that approach (including the wad of notes) with both The Little Shoe Box and Divine Shoes (Northamptonshire)

in the past, and both said that commissioning a new of lasts is not warrented just to satisfy one enquiry. However, psychologically, if a crowd of us go in and also say our overall forum now exceeds 1,000 members(!), I would hope that one or the other of those two London factories might see the viability of filling this gap in the market.

It needn't take more than the first hour or two to do both places, and as Lord Kitchener said in Work War I "Your country needs YOU!".

Cheerfully yours, Heelfan

The best way to get exactly the shoes you want is to own your own factory!

The best way to get precisely what you want is to own your own shoe factory!

[new_look]

things are looking good. we already have quite a bunch on schedule. I really dont mind where we go, Im sure the day will be as enjoyable as the last meet whatever we do. If it wouldnt be too much trouble I would also like to request a trip to the 'Office' shop we visited last meet, as they had an unusual pair of knee boots with a stiletto but round toe. Not something you see everyday. May be interested in these should Leatherworks etc prove a disapointment (i.e. if i prove too unflexible when i curiously try their 5.5 inch heels ) Daz

[jo]

Note that Office also have a nice shop in Covent Garden where you can also find Nine West, Karen Millen, Shelleys, The Poste Mistress, Bertie, LK Bennett, and several others.

There's also a very nice girl working in the Mac cosmetics shop who wears some really high heels sometimes.

Kensington High Street is also useful for Sacha, Dune, Shelleys, Morgan, Nine West, Kurt Geiger, and others.

We seem to have missed Aldo, e! and Barratts in the last visit to Oxford Street.

[new_look]

Im not really too fussy where we go to be honest. The places i mentioned happen to have particular items im interested in. I suggested this meet because walking with so many people in heels is like strength in numbers and gives a big confidence boost to poeple such as me that havent been at it for too long. Also the enjoyment on the last meet was superb! Im sure we can match it again. London has so much to offer Daz

[Heelfan]

Welcome back Xa! Personally I'd be very sorry if we exclude Little Shoe Box (as we will be so near) on your mystifying grounds of giving it only "3 out uf 10": I commissioned at least ten or 11 pairs of shoes and boots from the (now retired) father Gino, from about 1980 to the mid 1990s. They uncomplainingly made them all to my special drawings and designs, often fitting my special hardwood heels which I had made in advance. The service and the quality were invariable superb, and after over 20 years all my pairs are STILL GOING STRONG after countless miles of street-heeling, including the 4 3/4" boots I wore to the Oxford meet. I have nothing but praise for their past service (my only criticism being the limitation of the toe-boxes being only very pointed or almond-toed but no square or rounded shapes , being are dictated by their existing lasts). It should be most interesting to see whether or not Gino's son has been able to maintain this suberb service, and to update ourselves on their current styles. Also, there is the point that, to my knowledge, there are only four specialist factories in the whole of the UK making high-heeled footwear in men's sizes (or maybe only THREE if it is rumoured that Divine Shoes in Northamptonshire is no longer actually manufacturing in-house). Therefore I suggest that each of these few factories should be regarded as very precious to our fraternity, and deserve our interest and a supportive visit and some input from us at least, whether or not we individually buy anything as a result. If we move-off from King's Cross at 10.50 (when Firefox arrives), short, cheap, shared taxi rides could whip us all around to both factories in turn in no time, bringing us up to lunchtime, with still the whole afternoon to hit the retail shops. I realise that not every firm visited can ever appeal equally to everybody's diverse needs, but I hope this does not overly fragment our little group on the day. For instance, the "Bigfoots" amongst us (size 8 1/2 upwards) such as me, Dr. Shoe and Ionic have spent much of each Heel-Meet amicably tagging along with those of you who are lucky enough to revel in the countless shops doing only ladies' sizes 3 to 8. Conversely, it would be friendly and supportive if the "Smallfoots" might consider sticking with us if we visit the odd place (like the two factories) who include our larger sizes (as well as smaller ones). I think most of us value the companionship and the joint-cameraderie of these Heel-Meets as much (if not more) than whether every second is necessarily spent looking at something for our own particular pair of feet. Anyway, that's only my personal overview, and no-one should be expected to go anywhere whatsoever if they remain too unwilling. I'm sure we'll have yet another great day! Cheerfully yours, Heelfan

[Ionic]

That was very nicely put, Heelfan. Actually I'm borderline and take mainstream retail 8s if they are generous enough - it is rather frustrating with a foot half in each camp. The main thing is to be reasonably disciplined and get on with things. If I can try on each shape and identify which size of last for each heel height fits me best rather than worrying about all the styles then that will be a good step forward for this visit. I will then know if I'm compatible with styles I like or not for the future. I have my own gripes with tLSB which I'll pass over here, so it would be good to visit them with other people. I could call in first thing next week and warn them of our trip in person if you think that is a good idea and we have a time estimate. I might see if they can stretch some old high courts a bit while there. Your first cab to Leatherworks is going to be a bit full, so it is best I go direct to Leatherworks and meet you all there. So remember turn your phones on!! /I

[Heelfan]

Thank you Ionic for your support (I shall always wear it, tee-hee!). As you are kindly offering to fix an "appointment" with The Little Shoe Box. I will do the same for Leatherworks? This is now the re-revised suggested itinerary: 10.25 AM Daz arrives at Kings' Cross Station, and joins the congregated group on Platform 9 3/4. 10.30AM The group departs on a short, shared taxi ride to Leatherworks. 10.50 AM (approx) Visit Leatherworks factory until departure by shared taxi at about 11.50am. MIDDAY (approx) Visit The Little Shoe Box factory. 1 PM Lunchingtons (Munchingtons/Boddingtons). 2 PM to 8 PM Retail shops (Thursdays is London's late shopping night!). 8.25 PM Daz's train departs from King's Cross to Birmingham. He asks whether others can stay-on until around this time. ATTENDEES: Daz, Firefox, Ionic, Xaphod,FGWJon, me and possibly Dr. Shoe. Emma (not Emma J Nation) is coming, but didn't say whether this is to the London Meet or the Birmingham meet. Maybe one or two others will show-up as well, but Jo can't make it on 6th. Anyone delayed or lost normally rings Firefox's mobile: 07941 172043. I'll also take my new mobile: 07966 450583. Is everyone agreeable to this revised schedule (which could still be varied on the day)? Cheerfully yours, Heelfan _________________

[Dr. Shoe]

ATTENDEES: Daz, Firefox, Ionic, Xaphod and me. Emma (not Emma J Nation) is coming, but didn't say whether this is to the London Meet or the Birmingham meet. Maybe one or two others will show-up as well, but Jo and Dr. Shoe can't make it on 6th.

Not so fast, I don't know one way or the other yet!

[Firefox]

Not a bad itinary, but when did I say I would arrive at 10.50? I can get there at whatever time is needed. Probably around 10.30, since I am only coming from 30 miles away.

[Heelfan]

Hello Dr. Shoe and Firefox! I've re-edited my above suggested itinerary to accord with your respective info. and everyone else's. Note thereon that Thursdays is late-shopping day in London, so we can, if we wish have a bumper session at the retail shops from 2pm to 8pm! Dr. Shoe - I'm sending you a PM. Islebeeseeingallsofyuh! Cheerfully yours, Heelfan

[Ionic]

Thursdays is late-shopping day in London

mmmmmmmn

....if our ankles hold up for the day...

_

Where did the stars of the last heel-meet hide away their four changes of shoes? That is some bulk to carry around all day without actually buying anything more to add to the load! Looks like the fla**ies will have to get the chop.

/I

[Heelfan]

The Secret Ionic? I was one of two winners for the Heel-Meets maximum changes - 4 pairs. It INCLUDED the ones we arrived in, so our little bags were just sufficiently spacious for extra three pairs, judiciously packed in "69" fashion, helped by one of my pairs being dinky low-cut flat courts. We don't HAVE to cripple ourselves until the bitter end. If we've got through all our intended retail shops by say 6pm or 7pm, maybe it would be great to have an early evening feed, grub, repast, banquet, blow-out or similar culinary extravaganza before scattering. I just pointed out the 8 pm Thursday facility to those such as Xaphod and Firefox to allay theirt concerns that if they encompassed both factories it might have left them with insufficient time to cover all of their intended retail haunts. A great day beckons! All Welcome! Cheerfully yours, Heelfan

[new_look]

Sounds jolly good if i may say so old chap! Daz

[Ionic]

Sorry, a bit of a digression, but this follows on from Heelfan's comments about the few specialist UK manufacturers and how we should supportive of them when we can be.

Some randome surfing found this: (quoted from some web page listing of ethical vegetarian/vegan footwear suppliers)

MAGIC SHOE COMPANY London, mto, wholesale, mailorder, retail at 88 Mile End Rd E1 (workshop and showroom) and 27 Shorts Gardens, Covent Garden (basement showroom) has stiletto boots and mules for rubber fetishists, such as thigh-length lace-ups. Catalogues are three pounds by credit card on the phone. The staff are quite used to special requests for different materials and for high heels in mens' sizes, although if your fetish is for anorak cloth you would save 40 - 60 pounds by going to Loveson.

They were referred by the Aderdeen shop, Nitelifeuk, WWW.NITELIFEUK.COM in a clearance sale item on eBay (sz 8 velvety court) at

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=53565&item=2865191183

The question is, do Magic really manufacture and what does anyone know about them?

_

Also worth noting is another source, probably rather to goth for most people here on this forum, Pennangalan.com also at URL http://www.gothboots.co.uk/

This is an online mailorder only outfit without retail premises and the interesting question is who actually manufactures their designs (leather, patent, rubber etc.). Part but not all their catalogue is done in mens sizes (other than the obviously male styles) and they switch from size F8 to M8 then through to M11. The larger sizes are to a male specifaction which is somewhat wider and the knee boots have fatter calf measurement. Prices are high but seem a bit less than Leatherworks.

(10% off Halloween promotion just ended last night)

Could Magic Shoe Co. be the manufacturers? It certainly can't be LSB and it doesn't feel like Leatherworks either. But it does mean that there are some male spec. lasts around at one maker somewhere (for 2.5" and 4.5" heel rise).

I'm sure someone knows all the answers, worth some research if not.

/I

[jo]

>> MAGIC SHOE COMPANY London, mto, wholesale, mailorder, retail at 88 Mile End Rd E1 (workshop and showroom) and 27 Shorts Gardens, Covent Garden <<

I visited their Mile End Road establishment about 4 or 5 years ago. They were in quite a small building, but that had just closed down. They had just moved to another unit there (where they definately manufactured - I saw it). I was never aware of the Covent Garden place. I looked in there again the following year, but everything had closed down. They are not in Mile End Road anymore, as far as I know. Can someone, perhaps living close by, go and check it out sometime? To get to their place, you went into a yard accessed through a gate, from the main road, and that was wide enough for at least a car to go through. There were several factory units around the edge of that yard. The old MSC was on the left, but they moved to the bigger one (on the right) after that (and maybe changed their name too), before disappearing altogether.

The original Magic Shoe Co, was, I think, Terry de Haviland's company. He was very well known in the 60s and 70s. I think that he might have gone on to do Transmuters for Goths (about 3 years ago), and who had (still have? not sure) an outlet at Camden Stables Market. Pennalagan and Transmuters are related, and I am trying to remember who they took over the shop in Camden from. Probably What katy Did or the one next door to that, back in, umm, 2001 perhaps.

I always wondered if, in fact, the people or equipment from MSC went on to be something to do with Leatherworks, but I really have no idea. When I spoke to the people at Leatherworks earlier this year, I got the impression they had been in business for decades, but I am unsure as to how long they have been in Southgate Road. I don't think that MSC were ever connected to TLSB at all. All three are (were in the case of MSC) their own manufacturers, I think. That is what I know. Maybe someone else can join some more of the dots...

I have been trying to track down Underground Shoes. I tried their listed Islington address last year, but could not find it. This year I saw an address near Carnaby Street mentioned somewhere but failed there too.

[Ionic]

Ah, I checked back and it was an undated web page. The home page contact phone number was 0181 xxx xxxx, so that was a very old page indeed. But the Aberdeen shop referred to MSC in the present tense.

Also someone has to makethe www.gothboots.co.uk stuff.

/I