IN RELIGIOUS scriptures, King David stands out as not only enigmatic but the most compelling of the characters. Namesake aside, this rightfully describes South Africa’s fashion maestro, David Tlale’s powerfully irresistible collaboration with the iconic shoe brand, Crockett & Jones. The two have teamed up to produce a bespoke collection of stylish and sophisticated formal footwear for young and trendy men, known as the Crockett & Jones David Tlale Noir Collection.
Given the history of Crockett and Jones as a company committed to maintaining the highest standards of traditional craftsmanship and quality, and David Tlatle on the other, and the level of care he’s known to put into each of his designs, this incredibly well-suited collaboration was simply a long time coming, and will no doubt produce satisfactory results.
The launch range comprises four unique styles, collaboratively developed by Tlale and the footwear brand’s top designers at its Cape Town factory. Aimed at the modern man, it is priced at around R1 900 a pair and will be available online and at selected retailers from mid-November 2019.
Behind the making: Crockett & Jones David Tlale Noir Collection.
Meticulously hand-crafted from genuine leather, Crockett & Jones shoes were famously worn by the late, former South African president Nelson Mandela as he walked free from prison in 1990 and are a favourite of fashion followers around the world. A go-to gentleman’s shoe brand, the Noir Collection takes inspiration from its iconic history. It is aimed at men of class and timeless fashion who want to invest in quality shoes.
For those wondering what exactly brought two of the world’d most sophisticated brands together, here’s what Tlale had to say: “Our journey as David Tlatle and Crockett and Jones is to make sure that we change the narrative of how people used to perceive Crockett and Jones by making it current, trendy and sexy.”
The collection he adds is aimed at the younger generation “that althought that ‘I can never be seen in brougues’. “But now the same company that made the classic best brougues can make something much sexier. I know for sure that this slip-on shoes I’ve been wearing them for a very long time – they’ve gone through a ‘wear and tear’ trial. As you know I travel extensively and people always say ‘where can I get that’. This is simply because it looks beautiful, it’s comfortable and you can dress it up or dress it down.”
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