Rafael and his team have been servicing South Orange, New Jersey and beyond with stellar repairs and bespoke shoes, belts & handbags since 1989. The Leather Shop is the leading repair center in Essex County, servicing both customers as well as working with and for other shoemakers when they have unusual repairs. With extensive technical knowledge of how  shoes and handbags are made,  we are experts in high end repairs of luxury designer products like Christian Louboutin, Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, John Lobb, Alden, Alan Edmonds, Ferragamo, and all other designer brands. 

SPECIALITY SERVICES

We can replace the lining of designer bags with calf suede or leather, make new straps or reconstruct the whole bag if desired. Customize knee or tigh-high boots by extending or taking-in calves for the perfect fit. Change the buttons on your leather jacket. Did the dog get hold of your favorite pumps? We replace or fix broken heels, buckles, extend or take-in straps on ladies shoes. We have professional relationships with designer brands so we will take over the tedious task of getting the matching, lost or broken part when possible. 

REPAIR SERVICES LIST

Heel repair or replacement, sole guards, tips, taps, alterations, customization, stretching, cleaning, conditioning & waterproofing, reconstruction, insurance claims, embossing/monogramming, handbag stitching, hardware replacement, new straps, zipper repair or replacement, jackets rips, tears, patching and the good ol' fashion shine! 

"IF OTHER SHOEMAKERS COME TO US, SHOULDN'T YOU?"

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Surprise your Dad, Grandfather or special Uncle with a beautiful handmade belt or wallet. Complimentary custom monogramming or short personal message available upon request. 

'BUILD YOUR OWN SNEAKER'

Just in time for Father's Day, we are hosting an exclusive 'build your own sneaker workshop'. Sneakers have evolved from sport shoes to every day wear. Fashion sneakers are the perfect combination of comfort and style. 

The evening will start with a presentation of the latest trends in fashion and leather and we will show you how to wear sneakers on any occasion. AND you will get to design  your own unique pair of sneakers choosing from our top quality in-house selection of exotic leathers, alligator, python, lizard, shark or special leathers and our special imported Italian soles.  After approximately 4 weeks you will be rocking your own custom sneaker.  All you need then is that 'cool attitude' when wearing them!

BE AN ORIGINAL!

Email: Benita to sign up for this exclusive event, limited spots available. 

CUSTOM ATELIER  

In addition to the retail store, our custom atelier has been making bespoke mens shoes, handbags, belts and sneakers in both high end leather as exotic skins by hand since 1989. 

The atelier also provides sample and small run production services for emerging designers. We can turn a sketch or  design tech pack into a sample in as little as 1 day.  For designers we offers leather, design and hardware sourcing consultancy services.  

ABOUT US

Rafael learned the trade from his maternal grandfather as a little boy and fine tuned his skills during his 'gap' year in Italy, apprenticing for a classic Italian master cobbler/last maker.  Our 3rd and 4th generation artisans hail from Europe and take tremendous pride in their workmanship.

Rafael's bespoke boots and shoes are designed and made by hand conformed perfectly to both the shape of the client's foot and his design brief. The journey of a bespoke pair of shoes starts with a personal visit to the store for foot measurements with Rafael and a fashion consult with our creative director Benita Sedoc. The client selects the model, shape and type of leather or exotic skin. We design the style to fit his criteria and personal style. While Rafael works on customizing the shoe last according to the client foot shape and measurements, our artisans start the process of creating the design, pattern and crafting the uppers, the shoe is lasted and finally finished by our Master Cobbler with genuine leather soles or high quality vibram soles as per the clients wishes. 

New clients will often have a 2nd fitting so we can refine the fit and shape of the last as well as keep them involved in the creative process. A pair of bespoke shoes requires an average of 50 hours and passes through at least  4 pairs of the highly skilled hands. Each pair of Rafael's handmade shoes are build to last, comfortable, stylish and fit for the client. After the final fitting, the client leaves with expert care advise on how to care for his bespoke shoes and ideas for the next pair. 

EXOTIC SKINS & LEATHER

We specialize in exotic skins, alligator, crocodile, ostrich, python, fish & shark skin and lizard as well as import the best quality leather hides from small family owned tanneries in the United States and Europe. 

THEATRICAL FOOT WEAR

Our theatrical footwear division has been one the 'preferred' house ateliers for the Metropolitan Opera in New York City since 1990. Rafael's products have been worn by stars like Placido Domingo, Vince Diesel, Stanley Tucci and the late Luciano Pavarotti. We have made shoes and boots for the Opera's 'Der Rosenkavalier", Rusalka, Romeo & Juliette, Don Carlo, A Mid Summer's Night Dream, too many to name them all. 

Our latest movie production involved making the medieval boots for the " Transformers, the last Knight" world premiere June 2017.