According to Master Craftsman Chihiro Yamaguchi bespoke shoes are not only a luxury, but also a certain way to approach life. Last night in Galerie 111 in the Saint Paul area of Paris, under the sound of a live violoncello, he presented a magnificent collection of leather accessories. Outside the boundaries of ephemeral fashion fads, his creations are eternal. What counts for this refined man is to challenge the way we perceive and use accessories today.
Hand stitches and finishes, tripled yarn bee waxard threads, multilayered hand cut leather soles are omnipresent in his mens shoes collection ranging from Derby and Richelieu to the outstanding hand sculpted Sports Car Shoe. For his women's line, made with just as much care for perfection, he also added a touch of David Cronenberg's Existenz. High heels seemed to be made out of horns, bones and turtle shell and soles equipped with what looked like humanoid teeth.
And as if technical mastery and artistic expression were not enough, for his bags collection, Mister Yamaguchi completely decomposed wallets and handbags to challenge physics. For wallets, interior compartments were carved in the material in order to guarantee total flatness. And for his bags, he invented his own system of secret openings so that the wearer could have direct access to his belongings without having to open the zipper of the bag !!! making of Chihiro Yamaguchi not only a Master Craftsman and an artsits, but also a magician.
His original certification to the membership of the Guild of Masters Craftsmen reads : "This is to certify that Chihiro Yamaguchi having satisfied the requirements for membership of The Guild of Master Craftsmen has been elected Overseas Member and undertakes at all times to uphold the Aims and Principles of the Guild and to serve the Public and Fellow Members with Integrity and Honour."
For those of you wanting to walk on clouds, the exhibition will take place until February 13th. Galerie 111 – 111, rue Saint Antoine 75004 – Ground level
Hand sculpted Sports Car Shoe
This is what David Cronengberg's Existenz would look like it were a shoe
Chihiro Yamaguchi
