“I am 37 [this interview is two years old] and my occupation is Product Director at Alfred Sargent.\u00a0I left school at 16 and worked briefly in a shoe factory, that is sadly no longer in existence, named\u00a0Technic Shoes before knocking on Alfred Sargent\u2019s door, and being offered a job fetching the Lasts\u00a0out from where they are kept in readiness for production.\u00a0I am married with two children – I think they think my obsession with shoes is a bit odd to be honest!\u00a0My wife used to work at the factory so she at least understands the shoe making process (if not me)\u00a0and my daughter likes to come to the factory occasionally, spin around on my office chair and use an\u00a0old fashioned typewriter we have – I know what to get her for Christmas!<\/p>\n
My parents; I believe are pleased to see a local company doing well having grown up in the area, my\u00a0Grandfather worked in the leather industry also as a young man so he always showed an interest in\u00a0what we were making at the factory.\u00a0I have been, and continue to be, very fortunate to be surrounded by people who are passionate\u00a0about their work and who have a tremendous knowledge. Paul Sargent\u2019s constant desire to improve\u00a0the product and infectious enthusiasm has a big effect on not just me but the whole team at AS.<\/p>\n
I started at a young age, as previously mentioned, but I had been at Alfred Sargent for at least 18\u00a0months before I developed a real interest for shoemaking. This came about at the same time that\u00a0I started attending a shoemaking college, spending one day week away from the factory learning\u00a0about all the different departments and processes made me realise just how involved and skilled\u00a0making shoes is.\u00a0Hobbies: aside from shoe I\u2019m a football fan (Liverpool FC is the only team worth following!) I also\u00a0enjoy playing golf when I get a chance which of late has been rare.<\/p>\n
In response to your question about my personal style I would say: Bad!\u00a0Seriously, I think we all look at images via the media and think\u00a0that jacket or shirt looks great, I will buy that. \u2013 But in reality it rarely looks as good on me\u00a0when purchased probably as I\u2019m not as slim or as elegant as the models from the photo-shoot!\u00a0I prefer to just purchase what I like and look for value in everything \u2013 I know people who have said\u00a0to me I would never spend that much money on a pair of shoes and yet over the course of a year\u00a0end up spending more money on several pairs because the quality of the more \u2018reasonably\u2019 priced\u00a0shoes means that they don\u2019t last long, it\u2019s false economics. I define value not just in price alone, I
\nrecently had a gentleman email me asking if we could re-sole a pair of his Alfred Sargent shoes that\u00a0he purchased 29 years ago \u2013 now that\u2019s value!<\/p>\n
I like Cad and the Dandy of London and also\u00a0Harvie & Hudson shirts of Jermyn Street, London.\u00a0Growing up in the factory we always did and to an extent still do make some stunning MTO shoes for\u00a0other brands, but to me it always made sense to make the best shoes we possibly could under our\u00a0own label also, so I was like a child being offered the keys to a sweet shop when Paul allowed me to\u00a0develop the AS Handgrade line; it was a joy and a real team effort, I don\u2019t believe it would be half as\u00a0good as I believe it is had I not had strong support from everyone at the factory.\u00a0I think the biggest change to my life as a result of the interest levels in AS aside from all the travelling\u00a0is the amount I have been able to learn from people I get to meet, to be honest.<\/p>\n
Tips for anyone who has only recently become interested in Goodyear-Welted shoes:<\/p>\n
I would suggest choosing a conservative style that you will be able to wear frequently. Buy a plain\u00a0cap toe oxford, a wing brogue, maybe a standard derby shoe also before moving to something more\u00a0elaborate, as it is your first purchase you will want to be able to wear it frequently, and while the\u00a0latest colour or style may interest and be the shoe of the moment, the classic styles will always be\u00a0in fashion and ultimately get more wear. Shoe trees, Saphir care products and time spent caring for\u00a0the shoes will substantially extend the life of your shoes. Also get measured by someone who knows\u00a0the shoes they are selling – anyone who genuinely cares will put the time in in making sure the shoes\u00a0that you choose are right for your feet.<\/p>\n
http:\/\/alfredsargent.co.uk\/<\/p>\n
![\"Interview_with_Chay_Cooper_at_Keikari_dot_com\"](\"http:\/\/www.keikari.com\/english\/wp-content\/pictures\/2013\/03\/Interview_with_Chay_Cooper_at_Keikari_dot_com.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n