2012 has been a busy year for London’s contemporary king of cordwaining, Marc Hare. Opening his first boutique in Mayfair and launching his online store onto the world wide wonderful in the time it takes most of us to tie our shoe laces, Mr. Hare is a fast footed fella who’ll be slowing down for no-one.
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Standing on the shopfloor of his freshly-opened flagship store a few weeks back, Marc explained to i-D online, “I always wanted Mr Hare to be in an old Mayfair store and look like it had been here for a hundred years.” After conquering a list of three hundred applicants for tenancy of 8 Stafford Street, Marc’s dream came true. Ever the master of taking the old and twisting in the new, Mr. Hare footwear impeccably combines conventional craftsmanship with modern form and fabrication, “It all started because I was wearing skinny suits and trying to find a nice pair of shoes to wear with them, but all the geometry was wrong, you’ve got to make contemporary styles. So I wanted to make contemporary shoes that were of the quality you get in Jermyn Street.” And with John Lobb and Church’s lying just around the bend on one side and Dover Street Market and Acne on the other, he’s positioned himself perfectly. Continuing his attack on the retail frontier, this week he set off on his maiden voyage into e-commerce, cue A$AP Rocky rejoicing as he can scoop his favourite tassled Genets from the comfort of his Stateside sofa and Marc’s global following priming their polish for doorstep deliveries galore. Never one to forget where he came from though, here Marc chats colour coordination and care packages as he guides us through a day in his London life.
From left: First thing every morning I make myself a coffee then hit the garden to water the plants. Even in the Autumn. It’s a lovely way to wake up; Then I agonise over what shoes to bop with what accessories; It’s more of an orange day today; And this is how I am accessorising; First stop of the day is to check into Mayfair and make sure everyone is set for the day; Received a lovely care package from my assistant James’ mum in Devon. Thanks Debbie; Mr. Hare deliveries ready to ship all over the world. I am constantly surrounded by boxes; Alcides and Anya from Rochelle Canteen up to mischief no doubt; Opt for tapas for lunch at the new Tramontana tapas bar in Shoreditch. Yum; Our best selling Mr. Hare shoe is named after Henry Miller, so this sign caught my eye; Beautiful Autumn sunset on the river over Blackfriars; Off to the Emirates to watch the Arsenal with Eliza and Steve from Style Salvage (and i-D!). #fashiongooners; I love Autumn leaves at night; BED!
Text: Sean Baker
Photography: Images courtesy Mr Hare
