Special Materials
At Gilbert & Lisson we believe in using only the finest materials.
We want to know that the custom-made shoes you receive are not only a high standard of craftsmanship, but also shoes of great durability: an investment.
Whatever your requirements, we are here to help you choose a material that suits you and your life.
Custom-made shoes mean you have a wide choice of leathers, of different origins and a variety of finishes, and each with particular characteristics.
You will find a brief description of the different finishes below.
Types Of Leather
Full-grain leather is produced from the top side of the leather, i.e. the outside. The surface is smooth and polishable.
Corrected grain leather has the surface buffed away, taking away any imperfections. A glossy appearance is created by applying a smooth coating of finish colour. Though corrected grain is a less expensive leather it still takes skill to manufacture so as to ensure consistency and durability.
Nubuck is produced from full-grain leathers. The grain is abraded away to create a slight surface nap. This can be adjusted to be very fine, or a longer softer effect can be produced.
Suede is produced from the underside of the skin. Its distinctive nap can range from very fine to long and almost hairy in appearance.
Laminated leather has a layer of film laminated onto the surface. Laminated leathers may not withstand the hard-wearing conditions of upholstery and footwear and are therefore usually restricted to other leather goods and low-quality shoes.
Printed leather has a design embossed onto the leather surface under pressure, adding to the character of the material without affecting the leather structurally.
Aniline leather is the highest in terms of quality. The colour used in the dyeing process is soluble and transparent, allowing the natural beauty of the leather to show through in the grain and surface marks. These form part of the character of this natural material and do not affect the performance of the leather.
Oiled and waxed leather has oils or waxes coating the surface to produce a tacky finish that gives improved grip. These leathers are used in many sports, e.g. in American football gloves.
