Duke + Dexter
Archie Hewlett´s vision when he founded Duke + Dexter in 2015 was to bring the sleek, classic look of the slip-on shoe into the 21st century. Through small but essential changes to the shape, D+D made the loafer much more wearable, contemporary and versatile.
D+D is all about striking a balance between progressive style and familiar British charm. Between innovation and craftsmanship. And it’s exactly the craftsmanship that lies at the heart of everything D+D does. The company’s new appeal was always aimed at the latest generation of men who are wearing their shoes for a variety of occasions and over a whole spectrum of styles, from casual weekend wear right to black tie events.
The process behind every Duke + Dexter shoe begins in Hackney, at the brand’s design studio. From there, it’s on to the brand’s workshop in Sheffield, where each pair of D+D shoes are made, with a lot of the processes being completed by hand. Over 80 years old, the factory prides itself on combining deep-rooted skills with precision and care to ensure all products are crafted to the highest standard. Because when you buy a product with high quality, it will last a lifetime: buy once and buy right is a powerful mantra - and D+D wants the way your shoes are worn to reflect that.
Committed to supporting British craftsmanship and appalled by many of the shocking practices within the fashion industry, D+D works closely with their workshop to sustainably source and handpick the leathers, suedes and fabrics. By releasing the styles in very limited runs, D+D is able to ensure almost all wastage is eliminated and what´s needed is bought. Durability and comfort remain at the brand’s core and the choice of linings and sole units lend themselves to the demands a contemporary lifestyle. The attention given to each shoe at every step of the process is apparent in the finished product, which is then complemented with ‘Handmade in England’ embossed onto every D+D sole as a stamp of authenticity.
Over the years, D+D has expanded from its London roots into a global community; working with athletes, musicians, artists, designers, photographers and pioneers who do things differently, who go against the grain. 2019 was an exceptional year for Duke + Dexter. A hugely successful collaboration with Snoop Dogg – a partnership born out of the American icon’s own love of the brand – saw the likes of David Beckham and Rihanna wearing its footwear, while in September the company was crowned Premium Footwear Brand of the Year by Drapers.
Everything we do revolves around inspiring, enabling and challenging others to dare to live subversively, yet with purpose. ‘Everyone loves to say it, but we truly believe that the customer comes first,’ says Archie Hewlett. ‘We know our customers on a very personal level, we invite them to dinners & private events, we send handwritten cards with every repeat order to show that we’re not a faceless business and that we genuinely care about our clients and how our products fit in with their lives. Ultimately that creates a brand that does more than just sell shoes.’ Customers are always welcome at the Duke + Dexter HQ in London’s Hackney. Here they can explore all four floors, from retail to the design room, and meet some of the team behind the brand. There is a lounge area where anyone is welcome to relax, have coffee and put their feet up. This is also where the brand holds its custom consultations, whether they’re with in-house artist, Jess, to discuss an entirely custom sneaker concept. D+D clients can also visit the factory where Duke + Dexter footwear is handmade. ‘We want to celebrate our British manufacturing and the masterful craft and expertise that goes into creating every single pair of Duke + Dexter’s,’ says Archie.
Plans for 2020 include opening a ‘hub’ in New York – the first Duke + Dexter outside Britain – and building on the success of the collaboration with Snoop Dogg. The brand is rumoured to be joining forces with a legendary British racing driver for an upcoming collection. Duke + Dexter is also developing a number of new styles that will step in a slightly new direction from the original Duke + Dexter loafer, but still uphold the brand’s core values of quality and fearlessness.
The newest look from London footwear label Duke & Dexter is the Ritchie, a stylish sneaker handmade in England with sustainably-sourced materials and built for those looking for comfort. “By definition, we want to ensure that every single component is sustainably sourced, meaning that each individual item can continue to be produced, in principle, forever without any ongoing damage or net negative environmental impact. This is indeed the case with the Ritchie,” explains CEO Archie Hewlett to Footwear News. “What’s more, every component for the Ritchie is ordered to use — simply meaning there’s zero wastage or leftover. And of course, as with all D+Ds, they’re completely handmade in our UK factory where we source locally to minimize the amount of travel time involved for each pair of shoes and we offset our carbon emissions from deliveries to customers.”
Based: London, UK.
Ships to: Worldwide.
Products: handmade footwear made with sustainably sourced materials.
Mission: To sell footwear that strikes a balance between progressive style and familiar British charm.
Vision: To convey the idea that tradition and innovation can go hand in hand, as well as luxury and sustainability.
URL: Duke + Dexter
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