The Story of the Shoe Snob: a talk with Justin Fitzpatrick

In this new edition of Sartorial Talks, Hugo welcomes his friend Justin Fitzpatrick, the founder of the worldwide famous blog The Shoe Snob and of the eponymous quality shoes brand J. Fitzpatrick Footwear.
This is the first part of a 3 parts series recorded with the Shoe Snob. This episode is focusing on Justin's inspiring and fascinating entrepreneurial journey: from a kid born in Seattle who loved shoes to a successful entrepreneur who left everything behind to fly to Italy to learn the art of shoemaking with shoemaker extraordinaire Stefano Bemer and then moved to Savile Row in London to become the patina artist at Gieves and Hawkes. An inspiring talk with a bona fide shoe snob...
The Shoe Snob Blog: theshoesnobblog.com
J.Fitzpatrick Footwear e-shop: www.jfitzpatrickfootwear.com
Justin's Instagram: / theshoesnob_official
Hugo's Instagram: / parisian_gentleman
Sonya's Instagram: / sonyaglyn
The Parisian Gentleman blog: www.parisiangentleman.com
Support the show: / sartorialtalks

[@westfieldartworks8188]

Just going through America airports, and driving through a large midwestern state university, I have to say that this man is right about us Americans. We've gone from dressing okay, to dressing so poorly that I cannot find the words. It's actually shocking to the eyes. It's as if people rolled out of bed in whatever dirty clothes they slept in or found laying next to their beds,.... and then just walked outside.

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

Well, it's unfortunately true even if the sartorial way of life is slowly gaining momentum in the USA. Let's continue the battle for a more elegant world! Cheers, Hugo

[@westfieldartworks8188]

Agreed! Thank you, Hugo... @@SARTORIALTALKS

[@plinden]

Come on, that is only 99% of Americans.

[@penguin_edits]

so fucking true

[@plinden]

I am black-pilled about sartorialism; no, it is not taking over, it's more niche than being goth. Still, I enjoy it and dress that way when I am on my own time.

[@juanmanuelGonzales-ix1yy]

Thank you Hugo, Justin is very kind reviewing other brands, I think that his goal to promote the classic shoe industry is very generous, he has taught a lot a lot of people about shoes. I follow you and Justin for several years. Congrats

[@reginaldgooden3495]

Wow 😮 I can’t wait for the next episode!!!

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

Soon Reginald! Have a wonderful weekend! Hugo

[@roymacasaet3285]

I wish this discussion was longer! I can listen to you both for hours!

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

Don't worry. We recorded two more episodes! All my best, Hugo

[@alexxfreedom]

Brilliant to see Justin on Sartorial Talks, such an interesting journey to get to this point. Can not wait to see episode 2.

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

Thanks Alex! Part 2 should be online soon (and then part 3 by the way). Cheers, Hugo

[@alexxfreedom]

@@SARTORIALTALKS Wow 3 episodes. You are spoiling us 😂

[@naderelshafei]

What a story of passion !!!!! much much respect to Justin,,,and i can't wait for the second episode to discover his own shoes,,,,,Thanks dear Hugo for such inspiring episodes ,,,Much love & respect to Justin, you & dear Sonya from Cairo.

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

Thank you Nader my friend! Cheers, Hugo

[@theshoesnob_official]

Thank you for your kind words. I do appreciate them

[@naderelshafei]

Its very kind of you to reply to me Justin,,,i meant every word i mentioned, please be my guest at CAIRO anytime ,,,it will be my pleasure to meet & take care of you , respect & love from CAIRO.@@theshoesnob_official

[@theshoesnob_official]

@@naderelshafei my pleasure and will let you know if I ever make it there. I appreciate your offer

[@corisco93]

My gf and I are deligthed that you have brought Justin to your talk. Your sincere and healthy enthusiasm for shoes is inspiring. Thank you very much.

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

You're very welcome, both of you! Cheers, Hugo

[@soulbasedliving]

Thank you Hugo and Justin. So nice to experience this story filled with life lessons. Bravo! Blessings from Las Vegas where I'm visiting with friends

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

Thanks my friend. Enjoy Vegas! best, Hugo

[@theshoesnob_official]

My pleasure and thank you for watching

[@FlipsterFlipinoy]

I have a Justin Fitzpatrick shoe from 2014. One of the first. A black windermere. Still looking good.

[@optimistray1]

Great talk… I met Mr. Fitzpatrick (very briefly) doing his shoe-shining gig some years ago while touring G&H… I was attending the shoemaking course with Carreducker and it was part of a class field trip. Great to witness how his journey has progressed. Salut!

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

Many thanks! Salut! Hugo

[@RaulTibe]

Quel joli parcours, avoir pu rencontrer 3 - 4 personnes clefs pour monter sa propre vision et carrière. Bravo à lui. Je suis allé à Almansa en septembre, c'est assez marrant de voir que l'usine et la boutique-usine au coeur de la ville sont 90 % consacrés au business de la botte cowboy Sendra avant les privates labels (et la propre marque Albert Sendra) de chaussures de ville. Ce que j'apprécie chez M.Fitzpatrick c'est qu'il parle énormément d'autres marques, je pense à des marques qui ne sont pas rigoureusement sur la même tranche de prix et de qualité que les chaussures de sa marque. Cela prouve qu'il a conscience de ce qu'il fait fabriquer et de ce qu'il vend et montre une honnête démarche.

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

Je ne saurais mieux dire. Merci Raul! Amicalement, Hugo

[@hazzyhugh8729]

Hugo and his wife Sonya are legendary . Very knowledgeable in our business. Respect .

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

Thanks for your kind words! Yours, Hugo

[@dkwolfe1]

Thanks for all the great videos! I first heard about J. Fitzpatrick's shoes from one of your videos a year or two ago. Last year, I ordered my first pair (a pair of kale suede derbies), and I get compliments on them every time I wear them. Thanks again to all of you at the Parisian Gentleman and J. Fitzpatrick footwear.

[@philippedemontauvant5565]

Such an inspiring and riveting episode; I can't wait for the next.

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

Many thanks Philippe! All my best, Hugo

[@SIX622]

I would usually watch the whole video and then comment, but after 30 minutes I felt the compulsion to pause the video and make my thoughts known: 28:27 - perseverance! Yes! This is so true, which is one thing I truly appreciate about this channel is that it is not just clothing but people too! 28:50 - “put your body in the battle.” - that is a great idiom, although I have never heard it until now. Thanks for your work on this episode and Justin seems like a very humble individual. I shall now watch the last 15 minutes…

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

Many thanks for your "compulsion" and your kind words! All my best, Hugo

[@DavidWilliams-zz7fp]

Ah - this is the collab I’ve been waiting for. I discovered Hugo in a clip discussing JF, and thus, discovered JF. Can’t wait to delve in. Thanks to you both. Cheers!

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

Many thanks David! Hugo

[@blockavelli]

Looking forward to the part 2

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

It's been recorded! Stay tuned! Hugo

[@vernonbrana8205]

Admirable guy. I would buy his shoes, not only coz of how beautiful they are but because the man himself is worth looking up to.

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

I agree. All my best! Hugo

[@theshoesnob_official]

Those words mean a lot, thank you so much for saying so

[@andyatch33]

Justin’s story is one of “if you don’t ask, you don’t get” what a story

[@bheinatz1]

Great interview, thank you Hugo and Sonya. Justin, as a fellow American and lover of shoes/clothes, I'm rooting for your success! I've also learned a lot from your blog; in fact, it was the first source I found for information about fine shoes and shoes care. Thank you for sharing your passion with all of us!

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

You're very welcome my friend. Cheers, Hugo

[@theshoesnob_official]

Thank you so much for your kind words of support! And happy the blog has helped you in your own journey

[@miketracy6024]

This is a great story and Mr. Fitzpatrick is a very impressive man.

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

Many thanks Mike! Hugo

[@kamilj.1907]

One of the best episodes ❤

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

Thank you sir! All my best, Hugo

[@jonhope1204]

Truely enjoyed your story Justin, thank you Hugo 👏

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

Thank you Jon! Hugo

[@felixmunoz184]

If you build it, they will come 😂 and so the blog was born thanks Justin for being a pioneer.

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

Many thanks to you Felix! Cheers, Hugo

[@theshoesnob_official]

My pleasure and thank you Felix for your support

[@briteppr62]

Hi Hugo, what a wonderful video! I had no idea that you and Justin had a previous acquaintance/friendship. That is wonderful. Much appreciation to both you and Justin for all that you do! Best wishes, BT.

[@nathanbaker1868]

This was great. Looking forward to part 2. Justin has a great story and his perseverance is admirable. I have a few pairs of his shoes and have my eyes on a couple of his designs for future purchases

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

Many thanks Nathan! Hugo

[@theshoesnob_official]

Thanks Nathan!

[@andresimha1642]

Thank you Hugo and Justin for this compelling Part 1. Justin, I recall the first time we met at G&H and my first pair, of many, JFitzpatrick shoes. Your journey is a model for many 👍🏻

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

Thank you André! I hope you are doing well. All my best, Hugo

[@theshoesnob_official]

Thank you my friend! See you in London!

[@silasmoser301]

Thank you, Hugo.

[@tonydeltablues]

So pleased to be able to listen to Justin's story; Hugo (and Sonya), a fine host. It's inspiring to see Justin get to where he is on his shoe journey. I'll definitely talk to him if he is at the Shoe Trunk Show in London next time. Thanks Tony

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

Thanks for your message Tony! And I'm sure Justin will be happy to meet you in London next year. Cheers, Hugo

[@theshoesnob_official]

I have to be there ;-) I host it. Look forward to meeting you

[@tonydeltablues]

lol yeah, I guess so :-) I've been the last two years, dragging my buddy with me with the promise of East End pie, mash and eels....See you in May 2024. Tony@@theshoesnob_official

[@theshoesnob_official]

@@tonydeltablues 😎

[@thewholecut]

This was fantastic looking forward to the next episode! Those tarsal brogues look amazing 😍

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

Many thanks! Hugo

[@richardberthiaume9319]

Absolument captivant comme entrevue Hugo. Bravo. Je possède une de ces paires et je l’adore. Très anxieux de découvrir la suite. Félicitations!!!

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

Merci à toi Richard. Le deuxième volet sera en ligne très rapidement. Bien amicalement, Hugo

[@goodworksworldbasketball]

Please keep making this content. ❤

[@m1444rtin]

London, The Mecca of shoes!!! Absolutely right, not just the shoes, if you want to find something, you can find it only in London, its not just the capital of UK is the capital of the world!!!

[@charleso8564]

Happy Thanksgiving Hugo!

[@Lasciatemi_Guidare]

I’d love to see you get Angela Scott on the channel. Her brand (The office of Angela Scott) has a lot of “flair” but is grounded in quality craftsmanship, very similar to Justin’s.

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

I've never heard about this brand before, but it looks great indeed! Best, Hugo

[@williamkazak469]

Excellent interview. No mention of Church's English shoes? I bought all of mine in Chicago before Prada purchased them.

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

Good evening William. As far as I remember we didn't mentioned any brand (except those who helped Justin). Anyway I was a Church aficionado (!) in the past, just like you. My pair of Grafton (the derbies) lasted more than 20 years... best, Hugo

[@darbythornton9471]

This is extremely interesting and informative. Thank you. I am a huge fan of Italian brands. Which ones do you like?

[@monkeypawism]

Justin is amazing. Democratic in the shoe world. He critiques the shoe and nothing else.

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

Exactly! All my best, Hugo

[@theshoesnob_official]

Thank you for those kind words

[@Bojachi_VODs]

Good day Hugo, please may you do a video on elegant hairstyles for men (short, long and medium) please? It would be most wonderful and beneficial! Thank you!

[@TheRacerRich]

An interesting chat. As an aside, whenever I hear reference to $4000 bespoke shoes, I am grateful for Alexandru Maftei in Vienna. Is "put your body in the battle" a French idiom? I love that phrase.

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

Maftei is a great shoemaker indeed (and a great family business). Putting one's body in the battle is a French way of saying "going all in". Cheers, Hugo

[@TheRacerRich]

And he is priced in a way regular people can afford if they care to.

[@ARMOR_MASTER]

❤️✅

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

Thank you! Hugo

[@AlannyGarcia]

👌

[@a.4800]

Sir i wish if you make an episode about Bijan.

[@dakotarayprice]

I got a pair allden black oxe ford dress shoes

[@felixmunoz184]

Wow, half Mexican? Viva Mexico 🇲🇽

[@SARTORIALTALKS]

😀🙌

[@theshoesnob_official]

😎 mother is from DF ;-)