“Show me your shoes and I’ll tell you who you are” goes the German saying. It might not roll off the tongue, but it does hold true: your shoe choice can reveal more about you than you think. And what you put on your feet can certainly save a mediocre outfit. It’s something they know all about at Korbinian Ludwig Heß, a shoemaker on Hohenzollernplatz that’s one of the best-known addresses for custom-made shoes. Founder Korbinian’s journey took him from his hometown of Munich via four different study courses to Berlin, where his penchant for the Wild West led him to the unusual idea of opening a cowboy saloon. Complete with swinging doors and a long bar, it would be just like you see in the movies. His other idea – selling hats and cowboy boots – led Korbinian to google “best shoemakers in the world” which landed him an apprenticeship with renowned shoemaker Rudolf Scheer in Vienna. In the end, Korbinian opened his shoe store and workshop for custom-made men’s and women’s shoes in April 2017. Everything here is made by hand – even the glue is specially prepared. Being custom-made, the shoes are an expression of the personality of each customer: each is adjusted to the wearer’s needs with great precision to guarantee the perfect fit. If the production time of six to eight months is too long for you, you can take part in the first 12-day shoemaking course at KLH this year to learn to make your own shoes, too.
Text: Alison Musch / Photos: Robyn Steffen
Korbinian Ludwig Heß, Hohenzollerndamm 201, 10717 Berlin-Wilmersdorf; map
Mon–Fri 9–18h, Sat 10–16h
