Atlanta's Tuxedo Road magazine coverage on Otabo Custom Shoes.


The Brannock Device. You probably don’t know it by the name, but step in anywhere from footlocker to Cole Haan, and its very likely that this tool will be used to determine your shoe size. The son of the shoe retailer from Syracuse, N.Y., Charles Brannock patented his invention and began producing that instantly recognizable instrument in 1927, claiming a perfect fit 95 percent of the time. For more than 80 years, the Brannock Device has proved its usefulness for off-the-rack fitting. The only way to get a better fit is to commission bespoke shoes- a process that can take five to six months, cost $2,000 to $3,000 or more and, for the best, often will require a trip to the famed shoemakers on London’s Jermyn Street (see W.S. Foster & Son) or Savile Row ( Google G.J. Cleverley & Co. Ltd.). There is however, another alternative, one that melds high-tech sizing techniques and manufacturing processes with classic style- a Florida based company known as Otabo Shoes.

Stepping up to the challenge of creating a custom fit for less was Otabo founder and President Howard Lee Shaffer, a former general manager of operations for Nike in Beijing. He utilized his knowledge of manufacturing a high volume of footwear overseas- his former company, Sabry Jen, produced 800,000 shoes per month for various brands-and paired it with a desire to create luxury footwear with an emphasis on craftsmanship when he started Otabo Custom Shoes. The company creates a variety of custom dress, casual and golf footwear to orthopedic-approved levels of comfort.

The process begins with a 3D scan of your foot, in which a laser-based optical scanner captures more than 200,000 data points as references, creating a digital model that is accurate to 0.5 mm.  Then it gets complicated: The detailed analysis includes specifications such as toe curvature and toe height, ball width and girth, instep volume, and heel shape and arch contours, among other minute measurements. The computer uses these details to create a 3D digital model, which is then used to create the last. Traditionally, a shoemaker would create the last, the mold around which the shoe is created, by hand from wood- a method still practiced by London’s finest cordwainers. Otabo, however, uses the computer-generated lathe, automating and expediting a very time-consuming, manual process.

But this is where the line between traditional and technological blurs even further. Just like with handmade shoes, the customer can choose from a bevy of designs and personal options. The leather type, color, pattern, detail and outsole are all up for personalization. The outsoles, crafted from German leather that has been aged for 18 months ( a century-old technique used by the best shoemakers in the world), can be inscribed with a message or monogrammed. With style and options chosen, leathers are precision-cut on a water jet machine at 45,000 psi, then the shoes are digitally bonded, a technique the company claims to be more durable than traditional stitching. Each shoe is then finished and polished by hand. After all is said and done, you’ll receive your shoes within four to six weeks-much faster than fully handmade models. With prices ranging from $350 to $2,000 (for exotic leathers), they’re also much more affordable.

Otabo is working on bringing a retail facility to Atlanta, and hopes to do so by spring; until then, private trunk shows can be arranged by contacting the company at 954.571.3809 or otabo.com.

We’d like to thank Liza Weisstuch and Caroline Myler for introducing us to Spire.com. A few of us at Otabo just joined their network, and we’ve already made lots of fun plans inspired by their members’ In-the-know insight™.

Check out Spire Curator Suzanne Aaronson’s file on Custom Shoes and keep an eye out for reviews from the Otabo Team.

 

Pictured from left to right: SPIRE TRAVEL- Raffles Resort Canouan Island; SPIRE EPICUREAN - 1770 House East Hampton, NY; SPIRE SHOPPING - Shiatzy Chen Shanghai, China

Founded by Londoner Tom Lawrence, The Eden Club of St. Andrews, Scotland is an international golf club that provides its members with access to other private clubs worldwide – an ideal solution for frequent travelers who find it difficult to arrange for golf while on the road.

Being in the sports-marketing business and an avid traveler himself, Lawrence, now Chairman of The Eden Club, saw an opportunity to fill a void in the country club market and set out to create a club that had a unique ability to network for its members.  In addition to its home base in St. Andrews – which features luxury accommodations and services at Pittormie Castle; and famous links courses such as Eden, Jubilee, New, Old, Strathtyrum, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie (past host of the British Open and considered to be amongst the toughest courses in the world) – the Eden Club provides the services of a dedicated Secretariat that takes care of members as they travel the world. 

As one club member, a South African resident, describes “the Secretariat assists members as they travel the world and takes care of all their golfing arrangements, enabling them to invite guests to experience some of the finest clubs wherever they travel. It’s not a reciprocal rights program, as they work below the radar screen in a very low-key fashion. It takes all of the aggravation out of organizing golf and helps to deliver opportunities members may not be able to achieve on their own.”

The club also boasts an extensive international events schedule. Another member from Bermuda describes Eden Club events as the most attractive part of membership, “The Club now has 600 members who live all round the world and place great value on their precious leisure time. They all come from similar backgrounds and share similar lifestyles. It’s a privilege to be able to share wonderful times in beautiful surroundings and we are all drawn together through our interest in golf. It’s amazing to witness the value people take from meeting and spending time with one another. This is very much a club – with all the privileges and benefits of clubdom”.

On their events calendar this Fall, The Eden club has scheduled member tournaments at some of the top clubs in the US, and invited Otabo along to host trunk shows. For more information on the The Eden Club, email Tom Lawrence at tlawrence@finestgolfclubs.com.

 

On The Green

Pictured here are the Swilken Bridge, 13^th Green on Kingsbarns and 6^th Green on Carnoustie.

Pittormie Castle

The castle is a throwback to fine living of a bygone era.  From the moment a member arrives at the airport, one of the club’s chauffeur-driven Bentleys or Range Rovers greets them and is on call for the duration of their stay.  Complete with butler, Michelin chef, piper and housekeeper, the restored 17^th century clubhouse estate takes care of members’ needs and provides a private oasis to entertain guests. 

Hampton Magazine coverage on the Otabo Golf Spectator Wingtip. Now available at trunk shows at The Nines in East Hampton, (631) 907-9077.




CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: White braided belt by Harmont & Blaine ($145). Harmot & Blaine, 38 Jobs Lane, Southampton, 287-6442. Plaid skinny pants by Gucci ($470). Gucci, 46 Main Street, East Hampton, 907-9290. Bespoke oxford golf shoes by Otabo ($725). Available at the Nines, 52 Newton Lane, East Hampton, 907-9088. Divot box by Brooks Brothers ($148). Brooks Brothers Country Club, 48-50 Main Street, Southampton, 287-3936. Golf bag by Hermes ($6,900). Hermes, Americana Manhasset, 2002 Northern Boulevard, Manhasset, 516-869-6660. Court V-neck by Michael Kors ($795). Michael Kors, Americana Manhasset, 2004 Northern Boulevard, Manhasset, 516-869-1901. Solid pima polo by Lacoste ($75). Lacoste, Americana Manhasset, 2110G Northern Boulevard, Manhasset, 526-365-1933

Arnold Palmer’s Kingdom Maganzine coverage on the Otabo Golf Spectator Wingtip, custom designed for Se Ri Pak’s induction into the Golf Hall of Fame.  

 

CLUBS, PEOPLE WORRY ABOUT. A BAG to put the clubs in, also a matter of concern. Sun visor, sunscreen, golf balls, golf ball marker, proper shirt and pants, glove, laser rangefinder… Countless hours are spent flipping through catalogs and online review sites researching almost every bit of the golfer's tool kit. How odd, then, that when it comes to shoes so many golfers go on looks alone. Far from merely keeping your feet safe from a hot parking lot, proper golf shoes anchor you to the ground, which helps improve stability, which helps you not put your drive into the woods. Next time you set out to shod your dogs consider shoes from the following companies all of which have more to offer than just laces and a pretty tongue. Your swing will thank you. 

OTABO
The bespoke shoe goes high-tech with Otabo Custom shoes. The Florida-based company uses a computer scanning process that captures more than 200,000 data points to create 3D digital models of your feet. The scans, together with your fit preferences, shoe model of choice and custom design options, are sent to the factory. There, your custom golf shoes are made from the finest leathers and materials available – one shoe to the best fit of your left foot, the other to your right. Otabo even offers custom branding on the sole, perfect for personalizing the ultimate custom golf gift. Fit-to-finish takes about 10 weeks, which is quite reasonable considering yours will be the only pair like it in the world. 
Otabo Bespoke Golf shoes: Starting near $725Available at finer clothiers and shoe stores nationwide.
Visit www.otabo.com for more information.

1. E. Vogel custom –made golf shoes look and feel like high-quality street shoes with Softspikes. The sturdy leather platform provides more support during the swing. Handmade in Manhatten, the first pair takes five months from start to finish. ($1300; vogelshoes.com, 212-925-2460)

2. Bespoke footwear is normally associated with old-world craftsmanship, but Otabo complements this art with a three-dimensional digital scan of 200,000 data points to create a perfect fit in one of 225 design combinations of base and contrast leathers. ($735; Otabo.com, 888-236-9888)

3. After four fittings and eight months, John Lobb will provide you with the most comfortable feet at your club. (Good news is a second pair only takes eight weeks.) This company makes only 500 pairs of shoes a year, all handcrafted in Paris. ($6,200; johnlobb.com, 212-888-9797)

Otabo Euro Oxfords worn by director, Judd Apatow, for GQ Magazine.
 

Judd Apatow, Seth Rogen, Michael Sera, Jonah Hill, and Paul Rudd

From Left: On Apatow: Suit by Emporio Armani; Shirt and tie by Giorgio Armanil; Shoes by Otabo. On Rudd: Suit and shirt by Calvin Klein Collection; Shoes by Etro. On Cera: Suit by Thom Browne New York; Shirt by Theory; Tie by Band of Outsiders; Shoes by Alden. On Hill: Suit and shirt by Ermenegildo Zegna; Tie by Dolce & Gabanna; Shoes by Tod's. On Rogen: Suite by Z Zegna; Shirt by Dunhill; Shoes by D & G.

Photo: Danielle Levitt

Otabo Euro Modern Medallion Wingtip featured in Vibe.


O IS FOR OXFORDS
Leather kicks finally graduated from the IVy League to the style major leagues. Ladies glammed up the classic men's shoe with a three-inch heel, while guys rocked them and got their grown man status on.

URB Magazine's Things We Love list features Otabo as #123.
True Custom - Otabo Fits Your Foot Alone

Unmistakably innovative Otabo is changing the procedure behind buying a pair of kicks. Each shoe is custom fitted using a lasr brand optical scanner. Your leather is then robotically stitched and tanned for 18 months before it's worthy of wear. Look for the label's collaborations with Christopher Bevans, the former design director of Nike, which incorporates his modern design aesthetic with Otabo's unique shoe production technology. An entire factory is even set to open in Malawi in 2008, thereby reinventing the meaning of “Made in Africa ”. Let your fingers do the running to Otabo's Web site, and score info about its next trunk show where you can get measured for your own pair.

 

Able to make any woman look as lovely as his dancing partner Ginger Rogers, dancer extraordinaire Fred Astaire placed as much emphasis on his appearance and wardrobe as his maneuvers on the dance floor. Known for his immaculate style – Astaire could move effortlessly even in white tie – his sartorial eye feels right at home for fall. From sneakers to wear while you're singing in the rain to a bright bow-tie ideal for waltzing during cocktails, chic accents are the perfect way to express your style. Slip into some custom shoes to be your own Tiger Woods and snag that eagle. Pick up one of our selects and pliè your way to some old-school style.

1. BULGARI The orange and green Rock ties made entirely out of silk brighten up this season's color palette of neutrals. $170.

2. BOTTEGA VENETA This fall, sling the Ferro intrecciato wrinkled nappa messenger bag around your shoulder for Italian flair. $2,650.

3. J.CREW Classic, comfortable, and never out of style, the adorable Jack Purcell for J.Crew sneakers in plaid will let you get your kicks. $65.

4. LILY PULITZER These whimsical bowties in silk will lend you serious style cred on Via Mizner.

5. OTABO Just like the Spectator shoes Astaire wore, these customized versions from Otabo will leave you feeling like you are walking on air. Using 3D technology, a scan is made of your foot to maximize comfort and versatility. Try this traditional pair in Caramelo dress leather for a look that will have them singing your praises even if you are 3 over par. $795