Cordwainer History

Paul's father, Edward Mathews, was traveling in a horse and buggy through the southwest back is the 1920s selling bibles. As Paul used to tell me, he was "dressed to the nines" in his twenties-era garb and pointed shoes. His feet were aching after a long day selling "the word" so he stopped off at a well along the way and stuck his feet--shoes and all--into the cool water for some relief. "Eureka," he said (or somthing like that) when an idea popped into his head about correcting the misconceptions of "properly fitting footwear." Remember, this was the flapper era when high heels and very pointed shoes were the norm.

Edward packed his family up and headed to Yellow Springs, Ohio and commenced his research at Antioch College. What came of that research was the original Antioch Shoe, which eventually sold around the world. There were other designs that Edward came up with that became very popular, one being a desert boot called the Dundeer. Paul would tell me that Edward was the ultimate salesman and somehow he found his way to Hollywood on a fundraising junket. Paul never knew how he managed to meet the famous folks that wore some of the first Cordwainer Shoes, but famous they were. Douglas Fairbanks Jr, Mary Pickford, Caesar Romero, and Shirley Temple, to name just a few!

In our shop we have a wonderful photograph of Edward with Sonja Henie's trainer and one of the original pairs of skating boots that Paul made and Sonja wore in some of her movies. So, there you have the early history of the Cordwainer Shop--a great heritage and story of Edward Mathews and his sons Paul & Lincoln, with a creative idea who believed they could make a difference, and did. Sara and I are the lucky recipients to inherit the Cordwainer Shop, a 90-plus-year-old company that is still going strong, designing new and re-inventing vintage Cordwainer Shoes with a bit of help from the fourth generation of Mathews--grandchildren that Edward and Paul would be very proud of...The shoe must go on!

25th Santa Monica Craft Show

Sara, Audrey and I arrived yesterday for a few days of relaxation before our 25th year of participating in the Contemporary Craft Market Show that starts this Friday and runs through Sunday, 10-6 daily. We've been extremely busy at the shop making customer shoes and also designing some exciting new samples pictured here. Our favorite new store that features our shoes, Pip-Squeak Chapeau in Brooklyn-inspired a new design called Pippa-and it's already generating some great compliments. Shown in pale blue,

but like all Cordwainer Shoes, available in all our colors...

The golden colored oxford, was originally designed by Sara's grandfather, Edward Mathews back in the 1930's. Everyone who sees it thinks it great..and so do we, so a new line is recreated in some fun new colors. The black sandal is another new inspiration that Pip-Squeak will have on display. A fun summer sandal with 2' grosgrain ribbon wrapping around the ankle and tied in a large bow..very cute...we've named this one Sabrina, and offer it in a variety of colors with interchangable ribbon choices.

Home from NYC

We spent Mother's Day at Pip-Squeak Chapeau in Brooklyn for a trunk show featuring our handmade, custom fit shoes. Owner and designer Sveta Dresher's lovely boutique is filled with her simple and elegant linen clothing line. After a busy afternoon of meeting customers and tracing feet, Sara and I did a little shopping of our own. For our upcoming Budapest adventure, Sara chose a beautiful simple grey linen wrap dress that will travel nicely and look elegant for day or evening. I got caught up in the new world (for me!) of linen towels. Very absorbent, lightweight, and quick drying too! Sveta has several different patterns to choose from and I got a combination of baby blue, black and red to try in the Guest House and also my own home. I also picked up a gorgeous slate grey shawl that will work great for travel and keep me warm on planes.

A fun time was had by all and we look forward to spending more time with Sveta in her shop. A very busy and creative mother of two who is charming and inviting! She'll be carrying a nice selection of our shoes at Pipsqueak Chapeau. Customers can purchase these samples as is or order their own custom fit pair.

New York City Hotel Show

What a beautiful time to be in New York City. We arrived yesterday and had a chance to walk around in Central Park. Sara and I are set up in our suite in the beautiful Kimberly Hotel. We met up this morning for a brief visit with our friend Trish, who will be hosting Sara, Celia and I when we visit London later this summer.

Now to the business at hand... Our shoes look lovely on display and we've already had customers pick up some cute new styles from our Spring Collection. We stopped at one of favorites leather houses before coming to the city and purchased some interesting new faux-animal print leathers that will be great for our new style ideas.

We'll be here today and tomorrow 11-7 and Sunday we've been invited to do a trunk show at Pip-Squeak Chapeau at 99 Franklin Street in Brooklyn. Please stop by...Pictured are two of our newest customers, Joanne and Kate, who we met at the One-of-a-Kind show we did in NYC last December, wearing their new shoes.

Back to reality

Sara and I traveled up to Lewiston Maine today with one of our most important machines that we use for shoe making, to a place that sells and repairs antique shoe machine equipment. The skiving machine thins the edges of the leather for smooth folding and we're out of business if that machine doesn't work properly...our machine is about 100 years old and we did not want to replace for obvious sentimental reasons and are very grateful to the folks at Pamco who successfully repaired the problem pronto for us as well as adjusting 2 of my Singer machines that I sew all Cordwainer Shoes on. Our shoes are made today the same way they were back in the 1930's when Paul's father designed the original concept of the Cordwainer Shoe...a low heeled, round toe shoe...classic styling and comfortable for the human foot.

Sara and I continue this traditional way of shoe making and we really love using the old machines that Paul used for his entire shoe making career. Then we met up with Sara's daughter Audrey for lunch in Biddeford, at a charming little eatery. A very successful day..tomorrow we're back to the shop doing what we enjoy-making Cordwainer Shoes!

Contemporary Craft Market

We delivered Victorian Boots to our customer at the show...she loved them, (her 3rd pair!) This Victorian Boot is made with a copperhead kid and faux croc.


This is our 25th year of participating in Contemporary Craft Market Shows-June and November. We are very fortunate to have many loyal and satisfied customers.













Here's a new Plainsman men's shoe, in an exquisite combination cordovan calf and faux croc.



Today is the last show day and we fly home tomorrow back to New Hampshire! Home sweet home!

A day on Abbot Kinney

We've settled into life in Santa Monica like pros..had a great day on Abbot Kinney-Venice's very "cool" place to be. Stopped in to say hello to Elayne and John at their eclectic DoubleVision shop, (see photo of Elayne wearing her custom made Cordwainers!)then onto PinkBerry-where I had my first Passionfruit with raspberries and shaved chocolate... yum....then visited Stronghold, a shop that makes very high quality custom fit jeans-made in the USA..right in the workroom upstairs!