Saint Crispin's

Overview

Saint Crispin's produces handmade men's shoes including bespoke, made-to-order, and ready-to-wear lines. The brand combines Austro-Hungarian shoemaking techniques with designs appealing to Anglo-Saxon and Mediterranean markets. It maintains a small annual output of about 1,500 pairs from its workshop in Brasov, Romania, while operating a showroom in Vienna, Austria.

History

The company began in 1985 producing handmade bespoke shoes alongside design work for international manufacturers. In 1992, the Saint Crispin's brand was registered in Austria, the company was founded, and initial sales occurred in Germany and Italy. Phillip Carr joined in 2003, expanding from purely bespoke to include prêt-à-porter collections. The 2008 crisis prompted restructuring for improved processes and delivery. It remains family-owned with no foreign investors.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

All shoes are handmade in the company's workshop in Brasov, Romania, with 95% hand production by 22 artisans out of 28 employees. Production uses top-grade leathers and classical techniques like hand-welted soles and pegged waists, averaging 45 hours per pair. The workshop also produces lasted shoe trees.

Notable Products

• Austro-Hungarian Oxfords - Hand-welted oxfords in classical style with full counters through the arch.
• Derby Shoes - Prêt-à-porter derbies on multiple lasts for global fit preferences.
• Boots - Handmade boots using traditional pegged waists and hand-sewn components.
• Loafers - MTO loafers combining Mediterranean and Anglo-Saxon design elements.

Reputation

Saint Crispin's is appreciated by shoe enthusiasts for its high craftsmanship rivaling bespoke at lower volumes and prices, with strong value in MTO offerings. Professionals note its unique design language and consistent quality from the Romanian workshop. It ranks highly among small manufacturers in Romania for profitability in leather goods.