Ever wonder what goes into making a pair of sneakers disguised as dress shoes?
Check out the video and pictures below to see how the factory has combined sneaker construction with dress shoe aesthetic to create a sneaker that looks like a dress shoe.
Pattern pieces are arranged to minimize waste.
The the precision cutting machine goes into action to cut the components for the shoe upper.
Below, pattern pieces are arranged by size and sewn together.
After the uppers and linings have been completed, pressure is used to give the uppers shape in preparation for lasting.
With shape given to the upper, the strobel stitch machine is used to attach the midsole to the upper (pictured below). Strobel construction is primarily used in sneakers because it creates a lighter and more flexible shoe than the traditional board lasting method.
With Strobel stitch complete the shoe is ready for lasting.
The last is slipped into the shoe and gently hammered into place. The freshly lasted shoe is then sent through a giant fridge. Exposing the shoe to the cold enables the leather to keep the shape of the last. In the old days this effect was achieved by keeping the last in the shoe for several days.
Once the shoe has emerged from the cold, the outsole is cemented and manually attached to the shoe's upper.
The shoe then goes through several machines to ensure the bond with the sole is secure. Then it is finished by stitching the sidewall of the sole to the upper.
Finally the shoe is ready for finishing. It is polished and buffed then laced and finished. After the has been carefully inspected for imperfections it is boxed and ready for delivery.
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