In Richmond, people tend to check out your kicks.
Don’t believe us, just take a stroll through Carytown and watch people’s eyes.
Now one of Richmond’s most reputable menswear companies, Ledbury, is looking to make a splash with a new small-batch footwear brand, Tangier, its first in-house shoe brand developed by co-founder Paul Trible and named after the tiny island in the Chesapeake Bay with its own distinct dialect.
Available in several styles and colors, Tangier shoes come in the Chelsea style and lace-up boot at $425 a pair. Designed in Richmond in collaboration with Ron Rider, they were crafted in Italy from unique European and African leathers, according to a publicist, who adds that this sister brand to Ledbury will be staffed by the same team and available exclusively at Ledbury.com and the flagship store at 315 W Broad St.
Although it shuttered its New York City store during the pandemic, Ledbury recently told Richmond Bizsense that it plans to “expand its brick-mortar footprint” and “could make a return [to New York] and plant its flag in other cities … [plus] the company is doing appointments at its store in Georgetown.”
We sent a few questions to Trible by email to hear his take on his company’s first foray into footwear:
Style Weekly: How did the idea come about?
Paul Trible: It was a combination of personal passion and customer demand. I love shoes and had always wanted to start a footwear brand. From a design perspective, there is something exciting about working with unique leathers and learning a very different construction process from clothing. And over the years, shoes have been the number one ask from Ledbury customers. Case in point: two years ago, we launched a boot collaboration with Rider Boot Company here in Richmond, and it sold out in 48 hours. We knew the demand was there and felt that the time was right.
What kind of feedback have you gotten so far?
The response has been incredibly positive. A number of customers have told us that our Kingstowne Kudu Boot is the best boot they have ever worn. I wear them nearly every day, and I would agree!
In launching Tangier, we knew we needed partners with real expertise, which is why we are working with a multi-generational Italian factory that makes some of the finest footwear in the world. We did not want to train on the job, we wanted to deliver a world-class product on day one.
Personally, what do you like most about this style?
We say Tangier shoes are made for life. Whether that is a unique suede loafer, or a boot made of African antelope, these are shoes you can wear a wide variety of settings. They are not loud, but unique and interesting and going to get compliments each time you wear them. As an added bonus, they should last over a decade which is a rarity for almost anything we buy these days. Great shoes should really be designed to only get better with time.
