Paris Shoe Shine Journey: Part 2

Continuing from last time, this time we will continue with the second half of the Paris shoe shiner adventure in Hasegawa's style.

It's the sixth day since I arrived in Paris. Today's destination is the Crockett & Jones Paris store, a place that makes any shoe lover's heart beat faster. This flagship store opened the year after the London store opened in 1997, and it's a renowned store where history and prestige permeate the air. The moment I open the door, I straighten my spine and realize, "Ah, this is a place where shoes are the main focus."

What makes this Paris store so special is that it employs a bespoke craftsman named Dimitri Gomez. He is the very man who created the wooden molds for the Hand Grade line, which are now considered masterpieces. Any Japanese croquet fan will recognize that beautiful form at a glance. Yes, that is his work.

But it wasn't just his skills that surprised me. His personality was also fantastic. He was the ultimate craftsman, combining boldness and warmth. He was generous enough to not only show me around his workshop, but even showed me the "secret room" where the lasts are kept, which is not usually open to the public. It was so good I wondered, "Is it okay to show you this much?" It was truly a fulfilling experience for a shoe lover.

The shoe polishing session that day was fully booked. I had the opportunity to polish the feet of many Parisians. I had heard that "Parisians don't often shine their shoes," so I was skeptical, but when I asked, "How about glacage (mirror polish)?", the response was a barrage of "Of course, make them sparkle!" I was so happy that I was in full swing. As a result, the shop was jammed with smiles and radiance. Both the shoes and the faces were left sparkling.

The next day, I went to the "MAN/WOMAN" exhibition, held right next to Place Vendôme. Thanks to the advance notice that "The World Shoe Shine Champion will be there!", I was extremely busy from the morning. This is a Paris Fashion Week specialty exhibition that brings together famous leather shoe and fashion brands, including Paraboot and Alden. It's a lively space where fashion professionals from all over the world come and go.

What I felt in the midst of all this was that the act of "shoe polishing" itself is still not well known. But on the flip side, it also means that there is still room for expansion. I once again decided that "I have no choice but to spread the word."

In Paris, there are hardly any shops that could be called "shoe shine shops" like those in Japan. This is why I really feel how uniquely Japan has developed its shoe shine culture. The national character of Japanese people is conscious of personal grooming and pays attention to every detail. This is an aesthetic that is uniquely Japanese.

And on the final day, before heading to the airport, I went to a flea market first thing in the morning. There, I happened to come across a PRADA sign and fell in love at first sight. I bargained it down from 40 euros to 30 euros, and headed to the airport feeling pleased, only to find out that my carry-on luggage was oversized and I had to pay an additional 170 euros... sigh. But I guess finding something good is priceless.

The last photo was taken in front of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium, a place I had always dreamed of visiting on a free day. It was a fantastic shoeshine trip, including being able to stand in this fashion mecca.

We will continue to "bring revolution to the world's feet"
With this motto, we will bring shine to feet all over the world.

So, which country should we go to next?