In this episode, Katie chats to Michael James, Director of Sales and Development at Springline, England's only surviving shoe last maker. Michael is a master craftsman and has worked with many of the best designers, brands, and celebrities. Measuring feet and making lasts for the rich and famous, from our current King to Hagrid and the Gringotts Goblins out of Harry Potter to working with brands such as Dr Martins, Jeffery West, Churches, Vivien Westwood, Ted Baker, and Paul Smith to mention a few. His work spans both the bespoke and manufacturing side of footwear.

They discuss his journey into footwear from living in Northampton from an early age to starting on the Springline youth training scheme at 16 years as he was ‘good with his hands’, a company he has now been at for 40 years. Hear how he started on the factory floor and moved to the modeling room. How that in turn has changed over time.

Listen in as they discuss the process of last making, why it is an endangered trade, and hear how different types of wood are used for different lasts. Discover how Springline has remained healthy where other competitors have fallen by the wayside. How they have diversified their offering with different services from last making to design consultation and an international shoe-tree market. Their discussion turns to the challenges of sustainability, the need to do more, and also handing on the trade to the next generation.

Hear a tip-off about a forthcoming exhibition in the Northampton museum that Michael has been instrumental in pulling together. His love of handmade things, and his aspiration to take up pottery.

He offers insight into his working day and advice to the future talent of the footwear industry. He and Kaite discuss the positive impact of the Cordwainer Footwear Awards and how he personally looks back to footwear memorabilia of the past for inspiration and quality. Throughout it all shines his unassuming passion and love of a profession that has taken time to evolve.

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This podcast is produced by Audio Coast