Bespoke shoemakers since 1857
James Taylor & Son is a leading British bespoke shoemaker, established in 1857. We make a wide range of fully bespoke footwear, ranging from fashionable shoes and boots, through to complex orthopaedic footwear for all types of foot condition.
We are a small, very long established business that is absolutely dedicated to the design and making of beautiful, classic shoes that are incredibly comfortable to wear. Our staff are some of the most experienced and talented in the industry, we use the best materials that money can buy, and we make shoes that fit perfectly and look beautiful.
All our shoes are made in our Paddington Street premises in the heart of London and we are one of a handful of traditional West End shoemakers. But we are also comfortable with technology and we use the world's most advanced 3D foot scanning and CAD/CAM system, so we can design absolutely perfect shoe lasts and orthotics to fit your feet.
As well as bespoke, we offer a limited range of very high quality ready made shoes, including the Status range (providing a lift of several cm) and Finn Comfort that are ideal for the fitting of custom orthotics. We also offer a full repair service for all types of footwear including, of course, our own. We have an excellent reputation for handling all types of repair and alteration work, and we can extend the life of your shoes and boots almost indefinitely.
"Your shoes seem to never wear out" Mrs. Y Norwich
PLEASE NOTE - as of 17 August we are migrating our old phone system to a new digital provider. During this process our main number may be not be working - if so please call our company mobile 07576 883739 or email us and we will call you back directly. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.
History
In 1857, in the time of Florence Nightingale's transformation of healthcare, James Taylor walked to London from his home in Norfolk to start a business in the fashionable Great Portland Street. By the late 19th century James Taylor had established a reputation for making classic shoes that not only looked beautiful, but were incredibly comfortable to wear.
Customers at that time included much of the Royalty of the countries of Europe as well as the Principals of the then newly established department stores in Oxford Street.
The firm was later run by his son, and then two grandsons until 1950 when the company merged with the Orthopaedic Footwear Company Limited under the directorship of Hannes Leo Schweiger. In 1954 the company moved to its current location in Paddington Street, conveniently located near Baker Street tube station.
The craftsmanship and tradition which made the James Taylor name famous continues today. And thanks to a major investment in technology and expertise by its current owner and managing director, Steve Robinson, our 19th century tradition has been enhanced by a 21st century approach to fit, design and customer service.
CLIENT LIST |
|
| James Taylor's famous customers past and present make an impressive list. | |
| Lord Butler (RAB) Robert Stephens Jack Warner Jessie Norman Prince Galiltzine | Lord Mancroft Robert Bolt Bob Hope Liberace T. D. Barclay |
| Robin Leigh Pemberton Lord Gilmore Mrs. P. L. Travers Enoch Powell Sandy Gall | Peter Lewis Marjorie Proops Meredith Davis Cardinal Basil Hume Richart Siefert |
| Ronnie Corbett Matthew Kelly Lord Patrick Beresford Sir Peter Saunders Sir Kenneth Macmillan | Dorothy Simpson Cecil Parkinson Lord Snowdon Lord Goddard David Graham |
| Illinois Jaquet Steve Winwood Toni Morrison | Michael Winner Brian Eastman Sir Samuel Brittan Paul Getty |
OUR PEOPLE
Our team at James Taylor & Son are all specialists in the field of shoemaking, some of whom have been with us for over 30 years. Their individual skills include all the key shoemaking functions such as last making, pattern design, clicking, closing and making. We also have two fully trained orthopaedic shoemakers to supervise the design and construction of custom orthotics and orthopaedic shoes.
Each pair of shoes made by James Taylor & Son is worked on by at least five different craftsmen, in order to achieve the exact fit and style that you require. It is a uniquely skilled process and one that has barely changed in over 150 years.
You must be logged in to post a comment.