Since 2008, London-based shoemaker Marc Hare has created a seasonal shoe collection for gentleman, utilising Italian expertise coupled with a discerning eye, for a fresh interpretation of classic mens footwear. His label Mr. Hare is a reaction to a lack of ingenuity and innovation in the industry, “The world of men’s shoes is an odd one if you don’t have a Coccodrillo in your town.”

Ranging from casual mountain boots to western styles, punched brogues to elegant evening shoes, Marc’s designs offer a diverse selection that is not only fashionable, but always in touch with the street. Alongside his collection Marc is an avid blogger, inspiring his designs with photography of street and sartorial culture from across the globe at www.mrhares.blogspot.com. There one can also find links to many of his favourite songs, which further inspire the designer and enrich his unique world.

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Mr. Hare for Hardy Amies

 

Since 1946, venerable British tailor HARDY AMIES has set the mark for classic English tailoring from it’s bespoke atelier at 14 Savile Row. Having dressed Queen Elizabeth and the royal family for 50 years, the man himself passed away in 2003 leaving a rich legacy of fine craftsmanship.

Yesterday in Florence, Hardy Amies presented their Autumn Winter 2012-13 collection in Florence, Italy, on the occasion of Pitti Uomo, with a luxurious sartorial offering that revolved around the concept of the grey flannel suit.

Accompanying designer Claire Malcolm’s garments was a spectacular footwear collaboration with London’s pre-eminent shoe maestro MR. HARE, who created a silver-capped boot and oxford in polished elephant grey leather.

2012 Coccodrillo Christmas Cards by Stephen Jones

Eddy Michiels, Geert Bruloot and the COCCODRILLO team are delighted to present the “2012 Coccodrillo Christmas Cards by Stephen Jones”. Across the Ladies’ and Mens’ boutiques in the Schuttershofstraat in Antwerp, celebrated English milliner Stephen Jones has illustrated five unique christmas cards featuring Santa and his Christmas stockings, an elegant holly stiletto and pudding hat, and a snapping Christmas crocodile!

Featuring Spring 2012 previews from the collections of BALENCIAGA, PRADA, MR. HARE and FERRAGAMO CRÉATIONS

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“When I was a little boy in ’60′s Liverpool making my own Christmas cards, I
never imagined a little guy like me would have his drawings in the windows
in the bestest and most famous shoe shop in the world!”
- Stephen Jones

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FERRAGAMO CRÉATIONS
Viatica 3 (1958-1959)
Handmade re-edition of the model created by
Salvatore Ferragamo for the actress Marilyn Monroe
&
Hats by STEPHEN JONES

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PRADA
Spring 2012 Preview

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MR. HARE
Spring 2012 Preview
&
Hats by STEPHEN JONES

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PRADA
Spring 2012 Preview

Tea with Mr. Hare

Don’t confuse MR. HARE as the mad hatter, but rather salute him as London’s mad cobbler – a shoe-making dynamo who has been carving a sizeable niche in the sartorial footwear market for discerning gentleman since 2008. Not only concerned with the perfect punched brogue or patent loafer, Marc Hare has diversified into sneakers, deckshoes and hiking boots, and this season he’s even rustled up a mean-lookin’ ponyskin riding boot. Although we feel one can learn a lot from this dapper bloke via his personal blog, we chatted with Marc for a little bit of background on his craft, his inspirations and his favourite tunes – as we introduce Mr. Hare exclusively in Belgium for Autumn Winter 2011.

www.mrhare.co.uk

 

COCCODRILLO: This may be the hardest or easiest question, but why men’s shoes?

MR. HARE: Wanting badass men’s shoes is something I personally know a lot about. The world of men’s shoes is an odd one if you don’t have a Coccodrillo in your town. There are a lot of men’s shoes in the world but it is very hard to get hold of the nice ones. And I think (and I am sure many men will agree with me) the world certainly doesn’t need more womens shoes right now.

COCCODRILLO: How do you choose your theme for each season?

MR. HARE: The same way I choose my meals. Whatever I fancy at the time. I am learning how to make shoes as I go along, I have never made a secret of that, so whenever there is a hole in my personal wardrobe, that is probably what I am going to do next. If Mr. Hare was a much bigger company, we probably wouldn’t be able to operate that way but thankfully that’s the beauty of being small and totally independent.

COCCODRILLO: What is the concept for Autumn Winter 2011-12?

MR. HARE: August !! Dignified shoes to rock on the hottest nights, in the hottest months, in the hottest countries, also, the subtle addition of some striking colours like turquoise and pink and orange. Oh and the most sumptuous sneaker in the world. Yeah I said it !!

COCCODRILLO: Where did you learn to design shoes? Do you make the prototypes yourself?

MR. HARE: I didn’t learn. I am learning. And for that reason I place the making of prototypes in the hands of experts. Who would want a fudged up looking shoe made by an amateur like me? At Mr. Hare I am somewhere between CEO and creative director. That doesn’t leave me a lot of time to put shoes together by hand; I am not a “method” shoemaker. I am driven more by my wild imagination.

COCCODRILLO: What threads would you recommend a man to wear, with a dandy pair of your creations on their feet? Any favourite new labels?

MR. HARE: I am more interested in personal style. Men with their own personal style are as rare and wonderful as orchids. When a man knows what suits him it doesn’t matter where he buys it from. Personally though, if there is anyway I can get my hands on the entire SS12 Dries Van Noten collection, I could make that work for me.

COCCODRILLO: Many of your designs mix unexpected colours and finishes. How can one integrate these designs into daily life with ease? Perhaps you have some style tips?

MR. HARE: I think dressing is entirely personal. We can look at magazines and catwalks for inspiration but we are all different colours and different shapes with completely different views and references. I use shoes as the exclamation mark of whatever I am wearing. My shoes never shout but sometimes my outfit might whisper so my shoes are the dominant voice. Some days my shoes are just magnificent but understated, giving some other part of my outfit the leading role. Getting dressed is possibly the most basic creative outlet most of us get on a daily basis. I always have something to say by what I am wearing.

COCCODRILLO: Where are you heading conceptually for SS12?

MR. HARE: Refinement of what I have learnt so far.

COCCODRILLO: Have you ever considered a Miss Hare line?

MR. HARE: It would physically preclude me from getting a summer holiday at this stage so I didn’t have to consider it for too long.

COCCODRILLO: Finally, what’s on your iPod for FW11-12?

MR. HARE: Soooooo much.
White Denim’s D album.
Streets of Beige Mix tapes.
The new Spankrock Album.
Moombahton.
GOBLIN.
FRANK OCEAN (has been on rotate all year and still going)
Tom Vek.
SX70 by Jefferson Hack.
Dipset vs. Wu Tang.
Metronomy.
Radiohead.
Anything by Matthew Herbert.
Ghostface Killah !!
Blitz the Ambassador, Vybz Kartel and Movado.
G31 mix tapes and I dare say a lot of Amy Winehouse RIP.
Xx (Google ‘em all).