MAKING PROCESS
Our shoes are a manifestation of our love of shoemaking. We take great pride in the craftsmanship and quality of P.S.S shoes. Every shoe that exits our studio has been touched by the hands of our small and specialised team, with every detail meticulously accounted for.
For those interested in how our shoes are made, here is a brief overview of the shoemaking process:
- Designs are made; pattern making, sampling and the new patterns for production are graded and made into knives.
- Once this is done, the upper and linings are cut on our old clicking press, and the accessories are put together.
- It is stitched. Reinforcements are added. Seams are skived and folded.
- More prepping takes place. Holes are punched, rivets added, and laces done up.
- The insole is made. Depending on the shoe, it could be a fully covered sandal insole with sponge or a premade insole with shank and tuck board.
- Each insole is covered with a sock. Each sock is stamped with a size and our logo.
- Simultaneously, with the help of a local sole maker, the sole is made. There are many components and many different techniques for making the sole depending on the shoe.
- The made insole, stitched upper, and finished sole are all glued in preparation for making.
- It is lasted, which means the shoe is assembled into a 3D object. This could happen by hand for a sandal or with the help of machines if it is a fully enclosed shoe.
- Counters and toe puffs are heated at very high temperatures before being moulded over the last to give the shoe its shape.
- The shoe is then roughed and glued in preparation for the sole to go on.
- Once the glue has set and dried, both the shoe and the sole are re-activated and with the help of a sole press, the two components are attached together.
- Following a final steam, polish and tidy up, the shoes are boxed and ready to send.