The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2021 - Issue 30

The Unusual and The Rugged Following their Eco-Aware collection earlier this year, Cheaney launched their AW21 footwear collection for men and women that takes timeless styles and re-imagines them for a more rugged edge. Jada Brookes looks at both collections. E ver since Cheaney started producing some of the finest, handcrafted English shoes over 130 years ago under the original name of Joseph Cheaney & Sons, they have continued to keep abreast of the current trends. The brand still uses the same red-brick Victorian factory in the small village of Desborough, on the outskirts of Northampton that has provided its headquarters since 1886. Cheaney is dedicated to manufacturing and producing elegant, durable and sustainable footwear for both men and women. From the initial pattern design, leather cutting and closing, to the final polish, the eight-week process takes place entirely under one roof, culminating in footwear that is purely ‘Made in England’.The factory has over 140 skilled crafts- men and women to ensure that every process is proficiently executed with intricacy and finesse. Whilst paying homage to tradition and celebrat- ing heritage, they continually look to the future: a blend between the past and present woven into the fabric of the footwear produced. The Goodyear Welt construction method has long been revered as an indication of premium quality in English shoemaking and involves a strip of leather, known as a welt, being sewn around the perimeter of the upper to which the sole is then stitched. It is this construction method that enables shoemakers to completely remove the sole and refurbish the footwear, prolonging the life and longevity of the shoes and allowing for a more sustainable, eco-conscious product. Every pair of shoes produced goes through over 200 separate processes. These processes have to be perfectly rendered to the specification of the original design; otherwise, the operatives will encounter issues further down the production line. There is no room for error when it comes to meticulously crafted English footwear. It is this craftsmanship, sharp attention to detail and premium materials that result in unparalleled quality. Earlier this year, Cheaney released the new Eco- Aware collection that took some of their most biteshoes cHEANEY