Vita

That’s how I started the "London adventure" in January 1986. Having acquired my first basic equipment for 50 Deutschmark from the inheritance of a shoemaker on Föhr, I went, with my two little children to London. The risk of self-employment began thus for me and my wife at this internationally known place: John Lobb. That one company that is since 1863 allowed to bear the seal of the purveyor to His Majesty and that is until today, not only the shoemaker of the Queen, but also of the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales.

At Lobb’s business I received a training for three months, where I was allowed to look over the shoulder of a so called "Don" and where I was introduced into the secrets of English shoemaking. Through the abundance and diversity of the work, I was able to deepen and to perfect my skills very quickly.

As a "freelancer" I was free to be employed by other shoemakers as well. Hence I managed to gain orders from Foster & Son, New & Lingwood, Alan McAfee and George Cleverly. In addition I succeeded in receiving orders from the shoe house "Eduard Meier" who resides in Munich.