We market by attending events. We visit our customers and they can browse our selection, try on the shoes or belts. This hands on approach validates that are products are high quality and handmade not just some clever internet marketing scheme. These events may be polo, steeplechase, 3 day-eventing, car shows, boat shows and even flower shows. Instead of sitting lying in wait at a old town shopping district at the docks of a summer resort we prefer to make annual trips to various events.
One of our favorite event is the Brimfield Show also know as the Brimfield Antique Flea Market in Brimfield, Mass. It is an annual event and held three times for about one week in May, July and September. It is massive event sprawling out over 250 acres. It is antique everything from tools, to beds, carpets, mirrors, to silverware and maps.
We are located close to the vintage clothes section close to the town square and the classic New England tall white church steeple. The massive Brimfield event is navigated by the 'fields'. We are in Sturdevant Field.
Brimfield is a terrific mix of antique hunters, decorator fantasy items, odd tools, hidden treasures in need of refurbishing, and some plain old junk. It is one of the world's great treasure hunts. Our kilim shoes are upcycled and well received by folks that see the beauty in the natural dyes and classic rug patterns.
Of course, the shoes and belts compliment each other in spite of origins on different continents. The hand woven Turkish towels and hand loomed linen scarves are one of a kind, again appreciated by those that love textiles.
If have read this far and you have never visited Brimfield maybe add it to your bucket list. Keep in mind you cannot see in all in a day and it seems to rain one day every year so bring good shoes and rain gear.
Happy Antique Hunting and we hope to see you there.
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Really- who wants to buy shoes online it seems a excellent way to give yourself a headache. BUT--We market in person with products because our limited edition smoking shoes, gaucho belts and hand loomed items are best sold in the light of day.
We bring the shoes to our market via pop up events and short shows in order that our buyers see the fabrics, get the correct fit and truly understand just how special these loafers, smoking shoes and slides are. Our shoes and belts are beautifully and consistently produced. The shoes are all built on the same lasts and the sizes are uniform.
We make limited edition bespoke shoes for Women & Men. Seldom do the images really show how special our colors can be. Our editions are limited to only 9 or 14 shoes but other times we may have as many as 29 pairs cut from one fabric. It depends on what we see, it depends on the size of the piece that is the appeal, that is the problem we place with inventory.
To see our products, hold and try them on is the best marketing for us. The smell of leather, fresh air and sunshine; it is much better than being stuck in store front. We love the different crowds, we love to work with returning customers and given our kilim loafer's uniqueness the sun is the best lighting. Also, we travel to Istanbul and Morocco several other countries in the winter and we seem to find treasures to bring back for our shows which is an added aspect of the shop.
We attend shows during the spring, summer and into the fall. We travel a fair amount but we now have a solid following at many places we show. The customer owns a one pair, wants another pair of smoking shoes or mules. They want a pair for another family member, or as a gift. Now is the time, we are there only once a year. Once a year and only if weather permitting for some outdoor venues.
Each venue is different. Brimfield Antique Fair is 5 sales days outdoors and it seems to rain at least for one day we are there. We love sport horses. We do several polo events along the east coast. A polo game is only 45 minutes but the tailgate parties go all afternoon. We also have several Steeplechase races that we attend. A race card can be three or four hours. Then there is the Hampton Flea Market in the Hamptons that is a really a great Vintage show. We do Brooklyn Flea that always has a steady stream of tourists taking in the sites in NYC. The list is different each year but we will try to post our schedule neat the end of January.
A phone call or an email is always welcome too.
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We visit our markets once or twice each year bringing our latest shoe designs, belt designs or other fashion accessories we have founds during our travels. Once we establish a good venue we like to return and our clients love for us to return. We know a good purchase that is enjoyed is many times better than a high price purchase that becomes a closet trophy.
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We find the more events that we do the more often we have calls to join other events. We like staying local not only is it less travel but the social aspects of meeting more in our communities. There are some very talented people living in NJ as well as some beautiful venues- no the entire state is not the NJ Turnpike! Our next New Jersey Event will be Community Basket Day at the Presbyterian Church on 355 Lamingtown Rd. in Bedminister, NJ 07921 It starts at 10:00am and there is some talent to be seen in the selections.
https://www.lamingtonpcusa.org/basket-day
Sadly, The Brimfield event in May and July have been cancelled but there is hope for the September dates. We are at BK Flea or Williamsburg many weekends until summer cranks up and then we hit the road.
We love to hear from new events and are flexible with our calendar.
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