A Trip To The Francis Waplinger Shop - Brooklyn, NYC

After working in NYC for years it was only until I left NYC that I finally had time to visit Francis Waplingers’s Shop in Brooklyn, NYC. It was something that I had wanted to do for years, but when you work your own shop and run it, it is very hard to leave it. Any small-business entrepreneur will understand. Now that I work out of NJ and frequently make errands in the big city, it allowed me to finally visit Francis, check out his shop, and make this long overdue post.

Francis and I are like two distant brothers who never knew each other and only met years later. I say that as we share a very similar back story, come from the same place, and wound up in the same place. Allow me to explain. I am from Seattle. Francis is from Bainbridge Island, a lovely area across the Puget Sound from Seattle. We both went to the same shoemaking school in Bremerton, Washington. We then both ended up in Florence, although working under rival shoemakers. I worked with Stefano Bemer and he worked with Roberto Ugolini. While Francis stayed in Florence and perfected his craft, I went to London to build my brand. We then both wound up in New York, me with my RTW line and Francis with his bespoke footwear.

For a while, Francis was working out of his workshop in Long Island, but a few years back he found an awesome opportunity in the Maker’s Guild, in Brooklyn, where he was able to acquire a lovely, quaint shop where he set up his business. I think while living in NYC and working there too, I went to Brooklyn less than 5 times in 7 years. Since leaving NYC, I have been more than ever and made one of those trips dedicated to visiting Francis Waplinger’s Shop.

Francis Waplinger is a fully-fledged bespoke shoemaker offering completely custom, bespoke shoes right from his Brooklyn workshop, as you can see in the featured image. He is one of the few American bespoke shoemakers there are, although that number is slowly rising. Francis’s style, for me, is a subtle mixture of Italian design with a slightly heavier British look and feel. But I love that he stays true to eclectic design with subtle detailing that separates his models from others, but never strays too far off the beaten path of classic shoe design.

Entering Francis Waplinger’s shop was like stepping through a portal to Florence. The authentic Old-World Italian atmosphere, reminiscent of the many hidden Florentine ateliers, immediately grabs you. It’s more than just a shoemaker’s shop; it’s a vibrant hub of artistry. The space is eloquently infused with the presence of his wife, a talented artist, whose beautiful paintings adorn the walls, creating a unique blend of bespoke footwear and fine art. This fusion of skilled shoemaking and artistic painting truly captures the essence of traditional Italian artisanship, making it a must-visit for anyone seeking a genuine slice of Italy.

If you are ever in NYC, especially in Brooklyn, the Francis Waplinger shop is a must-visit. Francis and his team are among the nicest people you will find, so if nothing more than to have a look and say hello!