In these days of economic turmoil it’s wise to keep your feet on the ground. And nothing keeps a man grounded like a stylish pair of shoes purchased at a value.
Grand Voyage, a new direct to consumer cobbler, is making those shoes right now in the exact same Italian factory where Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, and a bunch of other tough-to-pronounce designers are made (here, let some models help you say those brands).
Grand Voyage is the work of Robert Nand, a former designer at Vans and founder of Creative Rec, which he sold two years ago. While on hiatus he saw how much designers were inflating their prices, and realized he could make the same shoes for less.
So he did.
Grand Voyage’s offering is straightforward and simple: hightop leather sneakers, platform slip-ons, two-toned derbies and crepe-soled bucks in black leather. Nand names his shoes after icons he admires. Like the Bowie, a Chelsea boot offered in leather and a natty navy suede.
Everything is true to size, ships in L.A. within two days, and if you don’t like it, return it for free.
Style that’s sensible: the perfect walking contradiction.
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