‘I recently turned 30. I have a men’s clothing and footwear resale business. I’m also a leather craftsman, and, of course, the owner of D.C. Lewis. I have an animal science degree from Mississippi State University. I originally wanted to be a veterinarian until I discovered my passion for business and entrepreneurialism. My wife and I will celebrate our 5th anniversary next month. She is incredibly proud and supportive of the line. I don’t think anyone was surprised as I’ve started several related ventures. You can find my father and brother sporting D.C. Lewis shoes on any given day.

Products from Pukimo Raivio

Kiton, grey sports jacket, size 50EU
Ralph Lauren, Black Label suit, size 52EU

I guess my interest in shoes started when I was a teenager, volunteering to polish my father’s Cole Haan loafers (back when they made quality shoes). I was intrigued by the fact that you could make an old, worn-out pair of shoes come back to life again with a little wax and elbow-grease. Not too long after that, I began fixing and reselling shoes on the internet. A lot of my knowledge is from hands-on experiences: hours spent at the local cobbler shop, experimenting with leather and finishing on my own shoes, conversations with employees in high-end shoe departments, trips to tanneries and plants, etc. I can’t ignore the depth of knowledge found on websites such as Styleforum, Ask Andy, etc. It’s great to have such comprehensive resources at my finger tips. Of course I have the usual library of Flusser books, Japanese magazines, etc.

I think living in the south (Athens, GA) is dictated by more of a casual style of dress.  I am typically wearing loafers and wingtips from brands like Carmina, Alden, Grenson MP, and of course D.C. Lewis. As far as clothing, I prefer the aesthetics of Cucinelli and Partenopea. I have been selling shoes by other brands for years and have developed my own tastes which, I believe, has given me a good grasp of what my potential customers are looking for. I have always wanted to develop my own line and things just came together organically. So far we have had an excellent response with multiple repeat customers.  I think the most pleasant reaction of my customers is finding out how comfortable the shoes are.

I try not to stick to the limitations of one genre. I like to think of my shoes as sort of a hybrid between English and Italian design. I think the future will also show my fondness for American vintage, and possibly some influence from Hungary. A top priority of mine has been, and will always be, to select the best quality materials made to the highest standards while maintaining value for the money. All of our shoes feature Goodyear construction with full leather linings. A large portion of our shoes are hand-crafted. I have taken on the role of sourcing the materials myself which helps to ensure a consistent level of quality. With the exception of Horween, almost all of our leathers come from European tanneries, such as Ilcea. We also use American alligator sourced from Florida and Louisiana. The brand has only been around for a little over a year so at this time, I would like to round out a complete collection of styles and models using different leathers.

[Keikari’s readers should choose Lewis due to] simply put: value. I strongly believe that there is no better value for this level of quality out there. One of the largest hurdles I’ve faced is getting over the stigma placed on country of origin. I have been fortunate to find a small outfit that will produce extremely high-quality footwear while avoiding some of the extensive labor costs found in countries such as England and Italy.  The craftsmen have had extensive training from some of the best shoemakers in Italy and Japan. I have a strong interest in unique designs and styles not made by every brand out there. I am a perfectionist and I will not settle for anything less.

I’ve always been an admirer of John Lobb and Gaziano & Girling. What inspires me the most, though, is the desire to provide people with a product that is built to last and one that I am proud to call my own. My definition of style is classic and personal portrayal of oneself. My hobbies include leatherworking, carpentry, art, dogs, and travel, in no particular order.

There are so many great brands out there that are dedicated to the craft but do not get the recognition they deserve because they do not have the advertising budget. These brands will often present the best value. I would encourage those younger readers to purchase shoes made from high-quality leathers with a solid construction that allows for recrafting. A well-made shoe can last a lifetime if properly cared for.’

D.C. Lewis is only available at http://www.kentwang.com/shoes

Pictures: © D.C. Lewis