The Bite Magazine - Autmn/Winter 2020 - Issue 28

Admiring Cheaney’s style milestones, Jada Brookes is intrigued by the latest collaborative Cheaney x Richard Biedul collection.  biteshoes   Come Rain or Shine  A s one of the oldest shoemaking brands in Northampton, England, J. Cheaney Boot & Shoemakers, later renamed Joseph Cheaney & Sons, established in 1886 by its namesake founder, continues to remain constant in the 21st century. Although the Covid-19 pandemic caused the brand to close all of their retail shops and factory temporarily, the brand was still able to oper- ate through online orders and staggered deliveries. In the last several years, Cheaney has produced on- trend styles such as the AW15 Aviator collection, which featured a selection of military-style inspired boots dedicated to Flight Lieutenant Joseph Hum- phrey Cheaney, the founder’s grandson who served his country from 1940 to 1945. Dick, as he was nick- named, remained at the company for 51 years and helped to build up the brand for its home and export markets by selling the business to Church’s English Shoes in 1964, making it available to retailers world- wide. In 2016, the brand updated the Aviator collection to give customers the option to purchase the available styles with a rubber sole. The following year, they in- troduced their latest addition, Hurricane R in copper goatskin leather. This boot is fully leather lined with a Goodyear welted double Dainite rubber sole and heel. As military-style boots ideally give off more of a ‘laid-back’ look, Cheaney recommends pairing the Hurricane R with flannel patterns, denim, and slim fit trousers. In that same year, Cheaney introduced their lat- est collection of driving shoes, otherwise known as driving moccasins. Originally designed in 1963 by an Italian company, these shoes were initially creat- ed to enhance people’s driving experiences. Over the years, driving shoes have become more commonly worn casually during the summer months, so the brand teamed up with an Italian factory to present Donnington made from calf leather and available in Burgundy, Bottle Green, and Cobalt Blue.