Jaguar and Oliver Sweeney unveil new formal driving shoes

Jaguar and Oliver Sweeney have introduced their latest co-developed driving shoe styles as part of a current partnership between the two companies. The two new formal driving shoe styles were dubbed “Whitley” and “Sayer” to celebrate names familiar to the British carmaker.

The first name pays tribute to Jaguar’s global headquarters in Whitley, Coventry, while the second celebrates the man who was responsible for the design of the C-type, D-type, E-type, XJ-S and the unique XJ13, Malcolm Sayer. Interestingly, Whitley and Sayer were designed and developed using methods similar to those used by Jaguar design.

For instance, the shoe styles were first sculpted and refined in clay. Then, they were 3-D printed using composite plastics to get them ready for approval. Once approved, the shoe styles were then sent Oliver Sweeney’s factory in Italy for handcrafting and stitching and become real finished shoes.

Designers made sure that the shoes feature very flexible yet firm soles that will maximize the driver’s comfort while driving while maintaining the flowing lines of the upper’s style. Likewise, the shoes feature a special heel profile that was chamfered to form a pivot point for better pedal control.

They also feature waist-less finish that prevents them from catching on pedals while the driver is behind the wheel. Both Whitley and Sayer have an upper design that derives some styling cues from the Jaguar XJ saloon. For instance, the curved sewn panel on the shoes takes a line similar to that of the D-pillar of the XJ.

Likewise, the chisel toe profile of the shoes evokes the signature squared-off Jaguar saloon grille. Julian Thomson, Jaguar’s Advanced Design Director, described the collaboration between the carmaker and Oliver Sweeney as “a great relationship,” noting as both brands have many things in common like British craftsmanship, artistry and a love of the creative process.

On the other hand, Tim Cooper, Cobbler-in-Chief at Oliver Sweeney, remarked that collaborating with Jaguar has been inspiring. He said that the brands worked together to create something that reflects what they both represent -- a luxurious modern take on traditional craftsmanship.

For those interested in purchasing these new “Jaguar by Oliver Sweeney” formal driving shoes, sales began in late September 2015 at Oliver Sweeney retail stores and the brand’s Web sites. The shoes are priced at £325.

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JAGUAR AND OLIVER SWEENEY LAUNCH A NEW CO-DEVELOPED ‘XJ-INSPIRED’ FORMAL DRIVING SHOE

Jaguar and Oliver Sweeney announce the latest range of co-developed shoes from the on-going collaboration between the British brands today.

Named Weslake and Sayer, the two new styles of formal driving shoe are celebrations of the company’s design and engineering heritage. Malcolm Sayer was one of the company’s most famous designers, the man credited with the C-type, D-type, E-type, XJ-S and the unique XJ13. Whilst Harry Weslake was Jaguar’s legendary engine designer.

Jaguar’s Advanced Design Director, Julian Thomson, said:

“This is a great relationship as both Jaguar and Oliver Sweeney have much in common: British craftsmanship, artistry and a love of the creative process. Above all we’re all very proud of this latest collection that we’ve created together.”

Designed and developed using similar processes to those adopted by Jaguar design, the shoe styles were sculpted and refined in clay first, before 3-D printing using composite plastics for pre-production sign off. The prototypes were then sent as an approved design to the Oliver Sweeney factory in Italy to be hand crafted and stitched in to finished shoes.

Unique construction features of the shoes include a super-flexible yet firm sole to maximise driving comfort and to maintain the flowing lines of the upper’s style. A special heel profile, chamfered to create a pivot point for better pedal control, and a waist-less finish ensure a fluid driving experience without the shoes catching on pedals.

The upper design echoes some of the design cues from Jaguar’s latest range of vehicles, with the curved sewn panel on the shoe taking a similar line to that of the distinctive D-pillar of the XJ, while the chisel toe profile recalls the signature squared-off grille, used on every current Jaguar, including the all-new F-Pace crossover and F-type sports car.

Oliver Sweeney Cobbler-in-Chief, Tim Cooper, said:

“We’re absolutely thrilled to build on our partnership with Jaguar. Collaborating with another great British brand has been really inspiring, and we’ve truly worked together on these shoes to create something that reflects what both of our brands represent: a luxurious, modern take on traditional craftsmanship. As a result, the shoes are not only beautiful objects, but ideal for driving in too.”

The new Jaguar by Oliver Sweeney range of formal driving shoes goes on sale from 1 October 2015, priced at £325 from Oliver Sweeney retail stores and online at www.oliversweeney.com.