Authored by Kaja Geha
German bespoke shoemakers Matthias Vickermann and Martin Stoya attract affluent and health-conscious customers from all around the world to their shop in the picturesque Black Forest town of Baden-Baden. Shop for a one-of-a-kind souvenir or a pair of shoes to add a touch of class to your collection when you visit this beautiful resort town.
Brand ambassador Matthias Vickermann is more than just a public figure. Because, of course, first-rate customer service is just as essential as first-rate footwear. Vickermann travels to his clients’ homes, workplaces, or even holiday destinations to take measurements and create the footwear his clients have requested.
Vickerman and his partner Stoya are ideally suited to accompany their clients on the intellectual and anatomical adventure that is the production of shoes. They are rather pleased with what they have to offer. According to him, footwear is more than just something practical to help you get around; it’s also a reflection of who you are and what you value in terms of culture, health, and the environment.
Their showroom and display manufacturing workshop has an air of serenity and opulence, and it would be difficult for anybody to visit and not be struck by the quality of their work. The company’s origin story—from its founding in 2004 by Matthias Vickermann and Martin Stoya to the present—is a remarkable account of expertise, accuracy, and the ability to anticipate and respond to change.
Worldwide, the shoe industry is the single greatest consumer of leathers, producing 14 billion pairs of shoes every year. 11.5 billion are made in factories in Asia, whereas Germany produces 25 million pairs of leather shoes annually (240 of which come from the factory of Vickerman & Stoya).
Unique anatomical quirks, client preferences, and the desire to treat oneself to luxury products all play a part in the story that each pair of customised shoes tells. While Vickerman & Stoyas clients are aware of the great quality that the company produces, this is also no news to the general public in Baden Baden, who are all aware of the company’s reputation. This has earned the brand a number of accolades, most notably a placement in Florian Langenscheidt’s “German Standards – Brands of the Century” encyclopaedia.
ShoeDoc, an online shoe repair service, was recently introduced to the shoemakers and has allowed them to branch out into related industries. The idea behind it is brilliant yet simple. Send in your shoes, or any other leather goods, and allow them to be maintained by the same professionals who have dealt exclusively with an upper-class clientele until now.
Anyone can easily take their favourite shoes or bags to the ShoeDoc for some TLC instead of throwing them away or buying something new. By doing so, Vickerman & Stoya are able to preserve beloved goods while simultaneously making a significant contribution to environmental preservation.