Eleven JM Weston styles make up anniversary exhibition
Footwear brand JM Weston has installed a special exhibition at its gallery-boutique in Le Marais in central Paris. The exhibition, called Chaussœuvres (combining the French words for shoes and works of art), will run until December.
JM Weston is celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2021 and Chaussœuvres is part of the celebration. It is based on an original idea from the brand’s artistic director, Olivier Saillard, is curated by the company’s design studio and prepared in its workshops in Limoges.
It comprises 11 specially designed footwear models that retrace the JM Weston’s history, each demonstrating a particular aspect of its know-how and craftsmanship.
Shoes presented in the exhibition include the brand’s 180 Loafer, tassels Loafer, Golf Derby, 300 Oxford shoe, Cambre Chelsea Boot and, arguably its most famous product, the Garde Républicaine boot.
Officers in France’s Republican Guard, whose mission is to protect the people and buildings at the core of the state, receive a pair of these boots. JM Weston takes seven specific measurements from each foot and ten of its artisans then set about making the boots. Each boot requires up to 200 manufacturing operations and takes 18 months to make.
The boots are made mainly from 16 mm thick box calfskin from French tanneries. The sole is made from slow veg-tanned leather from the company-owned Bastin tannery.
JM Weston makes and delivers around 100 pairs of Republican Guard boots each year.
