2024.07.22
Exploring the "Military Collection" of SANDERS, a Brand with Craftsmanship Passed Down Through Generations
Born in the sacred land of shoemaking, Northampton, SANDERS started with just a small group of five craftsmen. This time, let's unravel the commitment to shoemaking that has been inherited for over 150 years and delve into the charm of SANDERS.
SANDERS, Started by the Sanders Brothers & 5 Craftsmen
In 1873, the Sanders brothers, William and Thomas, established Sanders & Sanders Ltd. in Rushden, Northampton, UK, the holy land of shoemaking, with just five craftsmen.With the development of the Goodyear welt construction[1] and a contract to supply military shoes to the British Army in the 1910s, the brand grew significantly. Continuing a family management for five generations, it is now known worldwide as a long-established shoemaker with clients globally.
Inheriting Craftsmanship that Sustains the Quality of SANDERS
The high quality of SANDERS is maintained thanks to the indispensable presence of its craftsmen. By passing down the skills from one craftsman to another, the quality is preserved. Let's take a closer look at the craftsmen who support SANDERS.The traditional Goodyear welt construction inherited through generations of craftsmen is SANDERS' specialty. Since the contract to supply military shoes to the British army, this technique has been passed down, with each shoe sewn together by skilled craftsmen.
There are benefits such as the shoes conform to the shape of the wearer's feet over time, making them less tiring to wear for long periods, and the ability to replace only the outsole, allowing the shoes to be worn for a long time through repairs.
Additionally, by using carefully selected natural materials for most parts, the sturdy and robust shoemaking process is maintained to this day. As proof, SANDERS has obtained the ISO[2]9001 Assurance certification, which is given to only a few manufacturers in the UK footwear industry.
Moreover, with a background of supplying products to military and police forces worldwide, including the UK Ministry of Defence (M.O.D.), SANDERS has established an efficient management system that allows for mass production.
Therefore, even when compared to other shoemakers in Northampton using similar materials and methods, SANDERS can keep manufacturing costs down, producing high-cost-performance traditional Made in England shoes.
Among the many renowned shoes of SANDERS, this time, we would like to introduce the Military Collection. It can be said that supplying military shoes to the British Army was a significant event for SANDERS. Let's introduce the collection that inherits those roots.
The Military Collection is a collection designed from the last, based on the archive of military shoes held by Sanders & Sanders Ltd., an official supplier to the M.O.D. It features an embossed Crown Mark, a symbol of the rank of sergeant major in the British Army.
This Crown Mark is a symbol that SANDERS has been allowed to use due to its long history of producing military shoes.
"DERBY SHOE" & "OFFICER SHOE"
Let's introduce two representative items from the SANDERS MILITARY COLLECTION.The iconic model, the "DERBY SHOE," is also known as "G.P SHOES (General Purpose Service Shoes)" and was made for versatile use. The shoes issued to the British Army by the Ministry of Defence inspired them, featuring a cap toe with what is known as "Puritan Stitch" (triple stitch) on the quarter part.
It has a history of being adopted as military shoes because the triple stitch can be sewn simultaneously, increasing production efficiency and durability.
And as the name suggests, the "OFFICER SHOE" was issued for ceremonies and formal wear to officers of higher ranks. It is a simple plain-toe shoe with a 5-eyelet open-lace design, featuring Puritan Stitch on the quarter part. Despite its simplicity, it is robust and can be worn with various styles.
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