Leather shoes are all about potential. The real appeal of a pair of leather soles lies not in how they look today, but how they’ll look tomorrow. “Character,†is that intangible factor that compels us to purchase a pair of shoes based at least partially on its ability to age along with us. Japanese footwear label Hender Scheme is driven by this notion, as their collection of raw leather shoes are distinguished by their promise of an incomparable patina. Unlike most leather sole labels though, Hender Scheme isn’t best known for dress shoes (although they have recently begun to enter into this market), instead they focus primarily on sneaker silhouettes. These shoes, much like paying a visit to your hometown as an adult, are at once both familiar and unknown.
For these sneakers, which Hender Scheme has labeled the “Hommage†series, the brands takes iconic and simple shapes and recrafts them entirely from premium raw leather, yes even the soles. The result is a collection of shoes that look like Vans Eras, or Nike Air Force Ones, or German Army Trainers, yet age in a manner similar to natural Chromexcel dress shoes. Only more dramatic.
From that initial tan base layer, Hender Scheme’s evolve into a rich brown hue that really shows all the wear and care that goes into each respective pair. The brand, which has been around for a few years but only recently tapped into the American market, actually has a Tumblr that’s rife with images of customer’s shoes at various stages of wear to show just how quickly and beautifully that raw leather ages. While their recent offerings seem to indicate that Hender Scheme is moving into a wider array of products, their Hommage sneakers remain the brand’s best known designs, and when you consider how extraordinary they can look after just a year or two, it’s easy to see why.
that cognac/honey color is so attractive :)
I can only see gay dudes, rich assholes and Japanese fashionistas wearing those.
@Zaman So in your opinion only those that are gay, rich, or Japanese wear sneakers? Maybe you should open your eyes for a change, it’s a great big world out there.
Mind blown. These are incredible.
All good. Straight and Poor Dude Approves.
I don’t understand sneakers without an athletic sole. A deck shoe yes, but a jogger without?
Wow. Mind blowing. Great post. From the perspective of a straight, definitely not rich, and non-Japanese fashionista, these are totally incredible.
I never understood how leather could be a viable sole material. Doesn’t it wear out incredibly quickly? Are these (and other leather-soled shoes) meant to be resoled a couple times a year?
Really attractive shoes, and, except for the ones with the straps, I’d wear them all. I checked out the website where there’s other fun and useful things. I especially like the Not Lunch Box riff on the Chinese take-out box. And, since Hender Scheme is repped at Mohawk, I might drive over to Sunset on Saturday to check out the selection. Aside from old Reeboks, pix 5/6 remind me of my Marresi cycling shoes. Thanks kindly, Jake, for writing about this company.
Leather soles do wear out, however because of the way that these shoes are constructed the soles can be replaced also note that the heel appears to be crepe, not leather. Crepe can easily be replaced by any competent cobbler. If you’re hesitant you can have them resoled in vibram or topy. I have many boots and shoes with leather soles and vibrams they have lasted many many years yes I do re heel them once every year or two, but compare this to a pair of norAF1s you buy and wear for a year and toss.