GRENSON & ITS HERITAGE
Here at Rio & Brazil / Mr & Mrs Stitch we love anything with history and tradition, the backstory of the products we stock form an important part of our DNA. You just cant ignore the craft and workmanship, when you are either holding or wearing the finished article.
Here is an introduction to Grenson, Northamptonshire based British shoemaker.
1866
William Green first begins making shoes in a Northamptonshire loft . At this time shoemaking was done by hand in the houses of outworkers and William would hand out the work by visiting them individually on a daily basis.
As the business grew, he needed to increase production, and machinery had just been introduced so he moved into his first “factory” at Green Yard. This was one of the first factories in the World to use the Goodyear Welted method of shoemaking.
1913
The business decided to move with the times by developing a “modern brand name” something that was just becoming fashionable. They took William Green and sons and shortened it to GRENSON, which became one of the first names ever to be registered in the UK.
1914-1918
Grenson serves its country by producing thousands of boots and shoes for the soldiers of The Great War.
1939-1945
Once again the company is called into action and makes many shoes and boots for the soldiers, not only of British forces but of the Allied Forces too. Among many styles it develops is a flying boot with a leg that zips off to make running easier in case of being shot down in enemy territory. At this point the factory employs nearly 500 people making shoes.
2004
Tim Little became Grenson’s creative director in 2004, just as the trend for ‘heritage’ brands began to take root in men’s fashion. Little brought a flare for branding and a more fashionable eye to the makers of traditional country brogues. A few years later Little bought the company from businessman Christian Purslow (formerly MD at Liverpool FC).
Today Grenson is among a minority of Northamptonshire shoemakers who made it through difficult times of an industry in despair. In many cases they are success stories, having established their standing as makers of some of the highest quality (predominantly men’s) shoes in the world. The return of genuine British-made brogues has played a significant role in keeping the factories full.
We have a carefully handpicked range including the Declan suede Chelsea boot, Leo suede derby, Archie Nubuck chunky sole brogue, William Burnished suede brogue, Matthew Haindpainted semi-brogue, and also various colours in the very popular on trend sneaker 1, (which serves as a smart-casual crossover between retro trainer & shoe). Last but not least is the Marcus chukka boot (as worn below by Bond actor Daniel Craig)
All styles are available in store exclusively at Rio Brazil Victoria Square, Belfast, Northern Ireland, before being featured online at https://www.mrandmrsstitch.com. Call in today to get first pick.
Enjoy
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