Maison Degand was prominently featured on 19 March 2022 in So Soir, the premium weekend lifestyle supplement of Belgium’s leading newspaper Le Soir.
In a multi-page editorial dedicated to the renaissance of classic men’s footwear, journalist Marie Honnay explored the enduring craftsmanship of legendary English shoemakers such as Edward Green and Gaziano & Girling, with Pierre Degand offering expert insight throughout the feature.
A refined recognition of Maison Degand’s long-standing authority in the world of exceptional shoes.
English Translation of the Article
The Art of the Gentleman’s Shoe
If you are used to wearing sneakers with everything, and if the last time you bought proper shoes was for your wedding — or perhaps even your communion — you may be missing a discreet but very real revival: the return of the classic gentleman’s shoe.
To understand the significance of this movement, So Soir stepped into the world of English master shoemakers.
Distributor of Gaziano & Girling and Edward Green, Belgian tailor Pierre Degand compares fine shoes to caviar:
“Even when the word caviar appears on the packaging, it does not mean the contents will be exceptional.”
He explains that true shoemaking houses are defined by their obsession with the finest leathers, patient craftsmanship and extremely limited production.
A handmade workshop may produce only 2,500 to 4,000 pairs per year, compared with hundreds of thousands for industrial luxury brands. Some shoes require up to 60 hours of handwork for a single pair.
Pierre Degand also highlights the return of iconic models such as the Galway boot by Edward Green, reimagined in handwoven Harris Tweed specially commissioned for Maison Degand.
The article then explores the workshops of Edward Green in Northampton and Gaziano & Girling on Savile Row, where tradition and innovation meet to create shoes of lasting beauty.
Finally, Pierre Degand shares four principles for owning fine shoes: choose the correct fit, accept a short break-in period, maintain them regularly, and always store them with shoe trees.
About So Soir (Le Soir)
So Soir is the high-end lifestyle magazine published by Le Soir, one of Belgium’s most respected national newspapers. Released as a weekend supplement, it focuses on fashion, design, gastronomy, travel and contemporary luxury.
Known for its elegant editorial tone and thoughtful journalism, So Soir regularly features leading personalities, premium maisons and craftsmanship stories from Belgium and abroad.
To be featured across several pages in So Soir is a mark of credibility, prestige and cultural relevance.
