An artisanal conversation with Adam Law – Bespoke shoemaker of Adam Law Shoemaker, London

Dear readers, for those who appreciate classic men's shoes, you may have recently attended the World Championships of Shoemaking 2025. However, if you missed this year's event but still have a passion for discovering the artistry behind well-crafted bespoke shoes, we have a special treat for you! Mr. Adam Law is a bespoke shoemaker based in London, heading his eponymous establishment, Adam Law Shoemaker, he is an artisan with many talents up his sleeve. Having devoted his early career to the renowned British bespoke shoemaker, George Cleverley, for 17 years, Adam mastered the craft of bespoke shoemaking from the ground up, rising to a senior role within the company. After spending two years as a footwear consultant following his departure, he founded his own shoemaking house in 2024, with a vision to bring traditional British bespoke craftsmanship into a contemporary context.

In addition to being a dedicated bespoke shoemaker and founder, Adam is also an artist whose aesthetic gravitates towards postmodern abstract art (it somewhat reminds me of the painting by the late British painter, Francis Bacon, as I glimpsed in Adam’s artwork); such a multifaceted artisan naturally intrigues me even more about his work. Today, we are delighted to invite Adam for a conversation about his craft, his passion for British bespoke shoemaking, and, of course, men's style. Without further ado, let’s begin!

My Modern Darcy: Hi Adam, it’s a pleasure to have you with us today. To begin with, could you share what draws you so deeply to men's bespoke shoes? What inspired you to pursue this career?

Adam Law: When I was younger, I was fascinated by the human body and its relationship with clothes. Footwear, especially, felt like the bridge between the body and the world, it’s functional, but it’s also sculptural. Once I discovered shoemaking, I knew I’d found my craft.

MMD: You spent nearly two decades at George Cleverley, could you tell us the most valuable lessons you learnt there that continue to influence your work?

AL: Cleverley was my first introduction to bespoke, so it was a real education. Learning the craft, meeting customers, bringing their ideas to life, that was huge. Their square toe is legendary, and once I’d mastered that, it became a foundation. From there, I could start pushing the shape in my own direction.

MMD: You founded your namesake shoemaking house in 2024, what sets your bespoke shoes creations apart? Do you have a signature or ‘house style’?

AL: My house style starts with the toe shape, that’s the character of the shoe. Then it’s about the proportions, the vamp placement, the curves, the way it dresses the foot rather than just accommodating it. That’s what makes it mine.

MMD: How involved are you in the craftsmanship process? Could you walk us through how a pair of shoes from your workshop comes to life?

AL: I’m hands-on from the start. I take the measurements, make the last, draft and cut the pattern. Then the pieces go to the closer to stitch the uppers, before coming back to me for pre-lasting and preparing the soles. A bottom maker stitches the sole, and finally, there’s the finishing touches, trees, polish, and all the details. Every stage is touched by hand, and each pair carries that journey.

MMD: In your opinion, what defines a pair of well-made bespoke shoes? What are the criteria?

AL: First, it has to fit, I start aiming to be like a glove, that’s the foundation. Then it’s how it supports and balances the foot, but every customer has a preference. After that, it’s the look: the lines, the finishing, the way the whole thing sits together. A shoe is small, but you’ve got a thousand details packed into it. For me, a well-made shoe is one that the customer wants to wear every day, not just admire on a shelf.

MMD: What makes traditional British bespoke shoemaking valuable today? And how do you keep it relevant in the modern world?

AL: Bespoke shoemaking is valuable because it’s history that is alive, you’re constantly problem-solving, constantly learning. No two feet are the same, and no two pairs of shoes are the same either. And in a world that’s drowning in fast fashion, bespoke offers an antidote, all RTW shoes are influenced by bespoke in style or trying to replicate construction. A pair made for you, in your style, that you’ll keep and care for, that feels modern to me, and I’ve always said: classic can be rebellious. Doing something so well that it doesn’t need to change, that’s its own quiet form of rebellion.

MMD: You're also an artist! Can you tell us what draws you to art, and how it connects to shoemaking?

AL: I’ve always drawn and painted, it’s second nature. I mostly work from life drawing. For me, it’s about observation: how a single line or brushstroke can suggest an entire form, even though my paintings are paint being applied, scraped off and painted again. The perfect line carries into shoemaking, being sparing, knowing when to cut, when to leave space. Less is often more.

MMD: As an artisan, business owner, and artist, what challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?

AL: Social media. Honestly, I never cared for Facebook or Instagram before starting my own business, but now it’s unavoidable. You have to put yourself out there, which is uncomfortable at times. But it’s also a way to connect directly with people who care about the craft, so I'm learning to embrace it.

MMD: Let’s talk about you. What is/are your favorite pair of shoes that you owned so far, and why?

AL: A pair of old Chelsea boots. I’ve had them for years. I’ve used them to practice on, so they’re covered in little experiments. They look battered now, but they carry all that history, and they’re still the pair I reach for.

MMD: For the upcoming fall season, what shoe styles do you recommend? What about color, patina, leather choice, and design?

AL: Bespoke doesn’t move in trends the same way fashion does, but people are dressing more casually, more for themselves, less for the office. Green works well, olive suede, especially. It’s versatile, wearable, and adds character without shouting.

MMD: In today’s dress-down world, why should a man invest in a pair of qualitative classic shoes? How does it relate to a modern gentleman’s life?

AL: Every man needs a few classic pieces, anchors in their wardrobe: a navy suit, a white shirt, a pair of black oxfords. Things you return to again and again. They are staples that you always come back to. You can experiment around them, but without those basics, the rest doesn’t hold. If you have an important meeting, interview or wedding, you always come back to classic pieces, even if you can wear a t-shirt and shorts every day for work.

MMD: When you hear the word ‘style,’ what does it mean to you?

AL: ‘Style’ is dressing in a way that feels true to you. It should make you happy, comfortable, confident. Following trends or dressing to impress never works, it feels like a costume. You’ve got to go through trial and error, figure out what resonates. Your taste develops, it changes. Maybe it starts with copying how someone in a film dresses. You try it, you learn from it. Even if it doesn’t suit you, you learn what doesn’t work. That’s still progress, then you can aim in the opposite direction.

MMD: As a multifaceted artisan and creative individual, how do you maintain balance between work and life without burning out?

AL: It’s not easy. You have to be disciplined; otherwise, the work eats up everything. With customers, you have to bend to their schedules, but you still need time for yourself. Inspiration doesn’t come from sitting at a bench all day. It comes from seeing exhibitions, films, being with friends/family, feeding your mind with new experiences.

MMD: Beyond being well-dressed and well-groomed, what other qualities that a modern gentleman should have?

AL: Good manners. That should come before anything else.

MMD: If someone approaches one day and ask you how to become a great bespoke shoemaker, what is your advice?

AL: Be ready for the long haul. It takes years to master the basics, and you’ll never stop learning. You need patience, and you need dedication. If you’re just looking for quick results, it’s not the craft for you.

Special thanks to Mr. Adam Law.

Image courtesy of Adam Law Shoemaker, London.

https://www.adamlawshoemaker.com/