This is Archive.
We don't do mass production or seasonal rotations.
Every piece is cut, stitched, and finished on the bench here in Canada.
We release fewer things, in smaller runs, because we’re building what stays.
Follow the build.
Meet Jules Symons, the artisan behind Archive’s footwear.
From first sketches to final construction, these are the ins and outs of a process shaped by years spent refining the craft of well-made shoes.
#ArchiveLeatherGoods #MadeInCanada #slowfashion #shoemaking
A nod to our roots at Love Jules Leather, our Camp Moc silhouette features a traditional moc toe and pursed heel. For Volume 02, we’ve evolved that shape into something substantial enough for the trail, but balanced for the city.
In honour of the Year of the Horse, we’ve built this release using exceptional horse leathers from Maryam and Horween. Both versions feature premium calfskin lining and stitchdown construction, handcrafted in our Vancouver workshop.
Volume 02 opens May 28.
These are limited runs. To access the pre-sale window, subscribe to our newsletter at the link in our bio.
#ArchiveLeatherGoods #HeritageFootwear #stitchdown #madeincanada
The work continues.
Volume 02 is arriving soon, and our production runs remain strictly limited. Subscribe to receive Priority Access to the 48-hour pre-sale window. Link in bio.
#ArchiveLeatherGoods #HeritageFootwear #stitchdown #madeincanada
Introducing the Camp Moc from Archive Leather Goods.
We built this silhouette for versatility – balanced enough for the city, but with the material weight and grit required for the trail. Volume 02 opens May 28. For early access, subscribe to our newsletter (link in the bio).
Two styles:
- Culatta Cavallo art. Vacchetta in Natural from @maryam_tannery_italy . Solid brass hardware. Montagna 132 Honey (lug) outsole from @vibram .
- Yellowstone Double Horsefront in English Tan from @horweenleather . Solid antique brass hardware. Aspen (wedge) outsoles from @reltex_lactae_hevea_soles .
Both configurations are lined in premium calfskin, feature stitchdown construction, and are handcrafted in Vancouver.
#ArchiveLeatherGoods #HeritageFootwear #stitchdown #madeincanada
The build moves into the later, heavier stages by securing the midsole. Once the stitching is set, we move to the final bond of the upper to the @reltex_lactae_hevea_soles outsoles.
We chose these for their natural composition. They offer a resilient, cushioned feel that synthetic alternatives can’t match.
#ArchiveLeatherGoods #HeritageFootwear #stitchdown #madeincanada
The build takes form through the discipline of sewing, lasting, and sanding. It’s a physical transition from flat pattern pieces to a three-dimensional silhouette.
The unique grain of this hide gives each pair its own character. Preserving that character requires care and attention from the hands of the maker.
#ArchiveLeatherGoods #HeritageFootwear #stitchdown #madeincanada
Once the pieces are cut, we move into skiving and gluing. This is quiet, foundational work. By thinning the edges of the leather where they overlap, we ensure every seam sits flush and maintains its structural integrity without unnecessary bulk.
We line the interior with premium calfskin. It’s a functional choice for comfort and breathability, designed for how a shoe should feel from the first wear.
#ArchiveLeatherGoods #HeritageFootwear #stitchdown #madeincanada
Once the canvas is understood, the pattern is laid out and cutting begins. This is where we isolate unique characteristics of the leather and decide where those marks will live on the finished pair.
We use the leather’s natural stretch to our advantage, placing it where the boot needs to yield. This ensures the break-in period works with the movement of your foot, not against it.
For this build, we’ve returned to a moc toe and pursed heel as a nod to the shoe that started it all at @lovejulesleathr .
#ArchiveLeatherGoods #HeritageFootwear #stitchdown #madeincanada
The first step may be the most intimate. It involved putting hands on the hide to understand how it looks, feels, and stretches. These are all important factors in how the finished shoe will look and feel.
We put our hands on the hide to understand its grain, its weight, and how it stretches. These variables dictate exactly how the finished shoe will behave.
For this release, we selected two distinct leathers:
Culatta Cavallo art. Vacchetta in Natural from @maryam_tannery_italy . While initially modest, this vegetable tanned leather will develop a deep patina and build character with every wear.
Yellowstone Double Horsefront in English Tan from @horweenleather . This leather makes an immediate impression and ages with grace.
#ArchiveLeatherGoods #HeritageFootwear #stitchdown #madeincanada
The journey from a January pattern test to these final @vibram soles has been slow by design. In March, we moved from the first sample into the wear-test phase, putting these boots through their paces on Canadian concrete to ensure the bond is permanent and the break-in is honest.
We talk about the past only to move forward. We’ve taken the technical lessons learned over years of bootmaking and focused them into this single, uncompromising run.
Production is moving to the bench now in partnership with @peterfeeney_footwear . It will be a few months before they leave the workshop, and start their own story with you.
#HeritageFootwear #handwelted #madeincanada
