John Lobb

London shoemaker making bespoke shoes for royalty and celebrities; a separate company in Paris makes ready-to-wear shoes.

John Lobb was a shoemaker from Cornwall who made boots for gold prospectors in Australia and then opened a shop in London. The firm has held royal warrants and still makes shoes entirely by hand to measure in St James's Street.

A Paris branch of the firm was bought by Hermès in 1976 and makes ready-to-wear shoes under the same name. The London workshop is still owned by the Lobb family.

Lasts with the client's name are kept in the workshop for future orders.

Hand-welted shoes with a name or client number inside.

Lasts with the customer’s name and shoes welted by hand.

• Fashion and accessories