Belgian Shoes are a variety of handstitched loafer, manufactured in Izegem, Belgium, a historic centre of the nation's shoe industry. The shoes are known for their small bow near the top of the vamp.
History
The shoes were designed by Henri Bendel, the nephew of Henri Bendel, the founder of the eponymous New York boutique. When the Bendel family sold the family's department store in 1955, Bendel established the Belgian Shoes boutique at 60 East 56th Street, Manhattan,[1] before moving to the current address at 110 East 55th Street in 2001.[2]
Clients
Belgian Shoes have been traditionally considered a status symbol among the Upper East Side and Hamptons social set, but have in the past several years become more widely worn.[3] As early as the 1960s the shoe was considered notable as signifying a resistance to prevailing fashion trends,[1] and there have been few significant changes to the range since then.[2] Notable wearers of the shoe include Isaac Mizrahi[4] and Bernie Madoff.[5]
