New: A closetful of new shoes from Mako Magellan

January 21st, 2008 at 10:05am Secundus Jacobus

Superior, varied period clothing has historically been found in Caledon, and the quality has continually been impressive. Classic menswear, however, was never in great supply. In recent months, however, Mako Magellan has been designing and offering classic men’s clothing with increasing frequency, the quality of which is as fine as anything to be found in the high end boutiques or men’s malls.

Sunday, Magellan added no less than eight new shoe offerings (available at Mako Magellan and House of Magellan, L$300 per pair) to his already prodigious stock of fine menswear, Victoriana and Nipponaphiliac accoutrements. Based off the same general architecture, taken together they offer the devotee a variety of intriguing options - exotic leathers and colors that lend any suit a tasteful insouciance that’s more rake than ‘rariman.

The shoe architecture itself is a study in streamlined utility. “The design goal was to create shoes that could be shiny, compact, nicely detailed, and well styled,” explained Magellan. Set up on a solid jet foundation of thick yeoman’s sole, the toe moves forward in a smooth arc – not too narrow, yet unsquared in an elegant compromise between formal and casual. The heel piece works well with the accompanying sock (each pair comes with an appropriate sockbase) and the uppers (two pieces, to lend a realistic incremental rise) form a pleasant bulwark reminiscent of traditional loafers. Topping each is a pair of matched silver grommets and thick, peasant laces, loop-tied and draped to the sides. In all, the Magellan has done a journeyman’s job of creating an accommodating palate for the panoply of color and texture to come.

And it is here, among the available selections, that we see Magellan’s diverse style and creative sensibility come through. Magellan begins the collection with two traditional mainstays, the Black and Brown Leathers. Circumspect but with a vividness that eclipses much of what’s available, the Black Leather is deftly shaded to give the impression of a fresh shine, while the brown leather exhibits a pebbled texture, reminiscent of the sorts of casual leather brogues that have accompanied khaki suits since the days the sun never set on the Queen’s empire.

But after that, Magellan takes fly from hidebound tradition and covers his shoes in an increasingly sly selection of leathers. The first, the rich carmine Brown Lizard, has good depth, detail and gloss. The mirroring is especially well-set, and lends a sleek, desert-creature ambiance. Next comes the bright gold Brown Suede, with a mischievous stripe of brushed-the-wrong-way across the vamp, lending a bit of collegiate flair to well-bred blucher that aspires to a more youthful esprit. “Ideal for the promenade, the concert in the park, and the garden party,” observed Magellan.

Shining forth from the collection next is the Essential Patent Leather, brisk and florid as an October wedding. So black they begin to slide into midnight blue, these shoes are less calfskin and polish than pools of light sweet Arabian crude held in shape by invisible magnets. No scuff would dare show itself, for fear of being absorbed like quicksand. Following that is a second roseate skin (in this case, an unfortunate Russet Snake), whose varied texture looks best from afar – not because it is badly drawn (far from it), but because from a distance the character of the skins devolves into subtle, eye-catching stripes.

The remaining two pairs are pure whimsy. On one side, Magellan offers a brilliant Ostrich Leather in a wonderfully mottled saffron. Offset by the black of the sole, the Ostrich is a dandy’s shoe, that despite its baroque provenance manages to go, like the Count de’ St. Germain, with everything - especially, Magellan says, “… a sharp suit and an expensive watch.” Finally, my personal favorite, a pair of Taupe Leather bucks – unadorned, perfectly shined, forthright and debonair. This is a gentleman’s shoe for springtime, and as such a welcome signpost that the snow of a new year is at worst the preamble to a coming summer.

All available at Mako Magellan and House of Magellan, as well as SLExchange, Onrez and APEZ, by Mako Magellan, L$300 and 50 prims a pair. Those requiring larger sizes may contact the designer, though insisting on non-modifiable shapes is generally asking for trouble.

Disclosure: On Secundus: GAVIN-bald shaved skin by Melvin Demain (Mirror Image). Rayon glasses 1.12 by Nibb Tardis (primOptic). Grey Business Suit by Zen Deledda (House of Zen). Fedora v3 In Black with Black Band by Kai Sion (The Hat Shop).

Notes: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Yes | Friends List: Yes

Entry Filed under: Business, Casual, Dressy, Formal, Mako Magellan, New Items, Shoes