Since our inception, we knew we only wanted to work with the very best. Edward Green, Gaziano & Girling, Stefano Bemer, the names that sit in the upper echelon of craft and dedication to perfection. We stock seasonal and permanent collections from these brands, and have, until now, done so solely online. But that’s changed recently with the opening of our new boutique in the heart of Amsterdam’s Museum Quarter. Located in the highly exclusive Conservatorium Hotel, the shop houses a range of styles, allowing our international clientele to discover and find the perfect fit in person. It was a natural extension for us, and one we’re particularly proud of.
While the hotel is the perfect place to house the world’s best shoemakers under one roof, there was one question that arose. How do you kit out a space that does the world’s finest shoes justice? The answer was to partner with our friends at AtKris Studio. The Netherlands based company specialises in sourcing rare and unique mid century furniture, with many pieces filling the floor of our newly designed space. Similarly to bench made shoes, these are pieces that have been poured over by talented artisans, with every detail considered and only the best materials utilised. “We share a similar audience”, says Eveline Roks, co-founder of The Hand. “People who appreciate fine details, artisanal work, and unique pieces. Since our collaboration with AtKris Studio started, we found out that many of our clients actually collect vintage furniture as well.”
Walk into the boutique and you’ll discover the soft suede of Baudoin & Lange loafers as well as the grained calf leather of a pair of Edward Green boots. But you’ll also be taken back by pieces like a stained metal Gio Ponti style coat rack, a teak and brass 1970s floor lamp, and low slung white boucle ‘Malu’ lounge chairs, which beg to be sunken into. The space is bright and airy, with large warehouse style windows and impossibly tall ceilings which further the sense of scale. Visitors are invited to purchase any piece of furniture they see, the likes of which will then be replaced with something equally special and unique, giving the boutique an ever evolving, lived-in feel. The “focus on artisanal work” connects the shoes to the furniture, says Roks. “They are both handmade pieces and unique styles”, which clearly represent the finest craftsmanship in their respective fields. To see them together in one space only feels natural.
Having already sold a few pieces of furniture in the shop, the collaboration is clearly working, and shows the potential that bricks and mortar shops have in today’s landscape. “We started out as an online-only store, prior to the pandemic”, says Roks. “But we soon learned we needed a physical place to meet, fit shoes (after all, good fit is the most important factor), and also grab a coffee and take the time to get to know each other, which then helps us to better find the right match in terms of shoes. So we see the boutique as our home base from which we can best serve clients locally as well as internationally.” Whether you’re looking for a new pair of bespoke shoes, or you just want to relax in a beautifully designed space, we’d suggest that a visit should be high on your Amsterdam wish list.