‘I am 51 years old and I’m now Artistic Director of Maison Corthay. I was trained within a guild called “Les Compagnons du Devoir“. Les Compagnons was founded in the medieval ages, and regroups the best craftsmen in all trades (stone carving, carpentry, tapestry). I spent 6 years ‘on the road’, going from shoe-master to shoe-master throughout France to perfect my expertise and absorb this extraordinary culture of perfection. During my learning I worked in approximately a dozen of different workshops, so it’s really all of these where I learned my work. Practice, practice, practice. I am married and have three children. My parents were always very happy about my choice, the most important for them being that I’m happy first.

Products from Pukimo Raivio

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

My first interest was leather, I started making small leather goods when I was 9 years old, it was like a hobby. The interest for shoes came when I was 16 years, I was looking for a technical school to learn the leather work. At this point I discovered the world of shoes, their sculptural aspect, the complexity of the work involved…all these aspects drove me towards shoe-making. I would not make a distinction between “classic” shoes and “fashion.” Of course, when you start to learn how to make shoes you start with the classical rules, the derby, the oxford etc… My taste for fashion gave me the idea of twisting the classic, through shapes, of course, but also with colours.

I never wear ties, I’m much more in a casual/”chic” mood. There are plenty of good tailors, my favorite being : Marc de Luca, Lorenzo Ciffoneli. In RTW, I like brands such as: APC, Hermès, Edwin,  but also Topman. I like mixing very high-quality brands with nice jeans and nice casual. I started [my company] in october 1990. I did not really have a goal when I started, my first aim was to make enough shoes in the month in order to pay my bills! Little by little I realized that there was a possibility to build something bigger. Of course, at the beginnig I was received like a beginner and after a few years people started to see me with different eyes. My other passions are Music (I play the guitar) and painting.

My best advice is: “be yourself and never copy, follow your first feeling.”‘

http://www.corthay.com/

Pictures: © Pierre Corthay