Bertier Customs: Handmade, to a different dimension

Shoemakers who know Jean Teplitsky genuflect when they mention his name. He, however, is quite humble.

 

 

My inspiration is contemporary style integrated with classic techniques elevating the product to the highest level, while always trying to balance comfort, aesthetic and quality. 

We also draw inspiration from local players in other fields, making waves on the international luxury market.

A lot of what I am currently busy with is completely recreated Nike Air Jordans. We start with an authentic donor pair of shoes and remodel them from the ground up using the best materials and exacting techniques.

I am  currently working with several international and influential clients on bespoke pieces.

 

 

I have two exclusive retailers, one in Cape Town and one in Johannesburg, who showcase the work, but most clients are reached through social media and our online presence. 

 

 

As mentioned above we currently have the two stores showcasing our product. Story in Cape town And |Yawa Africa in Sandton City.

 

 

Our ready to wear shoes have up to now been very tourist dependent, but with the use of social media and online tools we have a growing reach.

 

 

All bespoke sneakers are currently made by myself alone. The new ready-to-wear range we are currently developing will have the uppers made by a luxury handbag manufacturer and the lasting and finishing done in a partner factory with all the work being  overseen by myself.

All of our crocodile skins and ostrich hides are being sourced locally from local tanneries. Some of our linings and calf leather come from Europe, sole units are also sourced out of Italy

 

 

The big problem we have locally is the lack of materials produced for luxury goods, high quality rubber sole units, backing/reinforcing materials, calf leather and lining leathers are not available from local producers, but can be sourced through local agents.

It is difficult to find a factory in South Africa willing to do small moq orders, and even more difficult to find one that can produce the quality our clients expect. 

This is due to the lack of training facilities to produce craftsmen able to meet the exacting standards of the luxury shoe market. 

We were in talks with FLIC to start a technology and training centre to teach young shoemakers the skills of luxury high end shoemaking, but that fell flat when FLIC was dissolved. 

A pair of bespoke shoes takes anywhere from 30 - 100 hours to produce by hand by one person. We are hoping that with some funding we may be able to produce 50 + pairs per day by incorporating technology into the mix, while still maintaining the highest quality standard expected from a predominantly hand crafted pair of shoes. We prefer quality over quantity.

 

 

We would like to start a small training facility and micro factory, able to produce the quality we are only currently able to achieve 100% by hand.

Thus facilitating a lower price point and able to service small up and coming brands and designers wanting to enter the market.