My new Chukka boots from Carmina Shoemaker are made on the sleek Simpson last in a beautiful burnished museum calf; they are part of a group MTO by Swedish
Skoaktiebolaget ordered 3½ months ago. The boots are Goodyear welted and of really good quality.
Carmina is made in the Spanish island Mallorca; and from reputation a great shoemaker. The Albaladejo family has been making shoes for almost 150 years and more companies are currently run by family members; José Albaladejo founded Camina in 1997.
The Simpson last is a slightly narrower last which suits my feet perfectly. The burnishing looks great, and the craftmanship in general is really good. The half rubbersole (called "Tomir") is perfect for the boots; suitable for Autumn/Winther and still fits the sleek design (Dainite soles would have looked too crude).
I ordered my boots with corresponding shoe trees from Skoaktiebolaget; a quite appealing design, made in North Hampton.
Carmina does a lot in group Made To Order and you really have the opportunity to get beautiful designs made. I am looking forward to if they soon will open for individual MTO, too.
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| The sleek, slightly elongated Simpson last |
The Carmina Chukkas are not exactly Chukkas as the five eyelet design does not fit the 2-3 lacing eyelet defintion of Chukkas; more like a hybrid between a Chukka and a regular Derby.
Chukka is a playing period in Polo and the name of the boot design might be derived from the boots worn by the off-duty Polo players. A design originating in India and subsequently finding it's way to Europe.
One of the first advocates of the Chukka boot is - no surprise - the Prince of Wales when he wore them on a tour to USA in 1924.
The Chukkas are perfect for my tweed suits (like the
brown houndstooth suit), but also for a more informal touch to my
1955 POW flannel suit.
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| Just in time for the holiday season |
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| Goodyear welted with half "Tomir" rubber sole |
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| Carmina Chukka boots |
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| I ordered my boots with corresponding shoe trees from Skoaktiebolaget |
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| Camina Shoemaker, group MTO by Skoaktiebolaget |
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| Edward, Prince of Wales, 1924 |
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