After long-awaited anticipation, I have finally unboxed my Carmina 3D Bespoke shoes, and here are my thoughts. I got measured up for these a little over a year ago. They came a few months later. At the time, this was the first time they launched the new feature, and they had a backlog of bloggers/clients to make them for. I am unsure of the time frame they quote for a pair these days, but nonetheless, they came quickly when compared to the fact that many European makers often quote 6 months to a year for their shoes to be complete.
Initial Thoughts
My only gripe with my Carmina 3D Bespoke shoes was that I did not have a choice of last. I could not complain though as let’s be frank, I did not pay for this pair. I would have never chosen this shape for this model, but that is not to say that I do not like the Lloret last. In the end, I liked the look but would have chosen the Simpson last had the choice been given. That has since changed and the choice of last is now available.
I was afraid about the fit. Truth be told, I have always been skeptical about 3D scanning machines. The reason being is that they are not subjective and the fit is often subjective as people do not always choose the fit that actually fits best but rather how they feel it fits. That is why I always felt a the presence of a human was required to suss this out.
But, the reality is that these fit amazingly. I was super surprised. No joke and no bias. I will probably never wear these and did not get directly paid to make this video (although Carmina as a brand is a sponsor of mine). There is no point in which the shoes do not fit less than perfect for how I like my fit. Granted, remember that fit is subjective. My experience will be different from others.
Price
The pricing for Carmina 3D Bespoke shoes starts at $1655, which I presume my pair would have fallen under. I did not choose any special leathers so for all intents and purposes, my pair must have been that value. Now, this is where subjective ideas come into play as many people feel that if they are going to pay that must then the shoe should be this and have that and really all a bunch of subjective ideas. In reality, for a ‘bespoke-fitting’ pair of shoes made in Europe, I feel the price is justified. The reality is that fit, for many, is WAY more important than having a fiddleback waist or being hand welted. Those are all just added details.
Fit, for many, is the #1 reason they buy one brand over the other and choose one last over another. If you are that type of person and value a perfect fit, then this price is far more reasonable than paying +$3K-$4K just to get the pair handmade and/or have the fancy finishing details. So the price, is what it is and I don’t personally find it unfair.
How To Get Yours
The Carmina 3D Bespoke program is still quite new, albeit over a year old now. They currently only have one machine that they often travel with during trunk shows to try and fit as many people around the world before it becomes a permanent fixture in each of their retail stores.
While I do not know where they house the machine while they are not doing trunk shows, I imagine that it will either be in NYC or one of their shops in Spain. The best way to get a pair is to contact Carmina directly and see where you can find it. Soon enough they will have a machine in each store and you will just have to travel to your closest retail outlet.
Overall
The reality is that I was impressed. I judged this not as a handmade shoe or something reminiscent of top tier shoemaking/finishing but rather solely on fit. And when it comes to fit, the Carmina 3D Bespoke scanning machine and service, knocked it out of the park. It is among the best fit I have ever experienced that is saying something.
Read more about Carmina here.
Learn more here: https://www.carminashoemaker.com/
—Justin FitzPatrick, The Shoe Snob
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***Carmina is a sponsor of The Shoe Snob Blog and you can consider this a sponsored post***
Why do you say “I will probably never wear these”?
Because I have my own shoe brand and only wear my shoes. It doesn’t make sense for me to represent another brand when on the street. And to also show that I have no skin in the game. I don’t make these reviews to get a ‘free product’ for myself. I do them to give everyone honest and unbiased feedback so they can make decisions on the products being shown.
Thank you Justin, love Carmina but these don’t seem to have that extreme shape that regular bespoke has (or even RTW st crisping or GG), would you say these were more contoured than regular carmina shoes?
Are you referring to the shape of the last or shape like super tight waists etc? The contour was definitely there. Unless you have a really abnormal shaped foot, bespoke doesn’t look much different to be honest.
The shape and contour of the shoe. Bespoke GG for example are more contoured than the same model in RTW and is easy to differentiate them. My question is if you can see a more shaped instep, arch, heel etc than in regular carmina.
I don’t have them in hand now and am traveling for 2 weeks but from what i recall of just looking at them, the arch area must have been more contoured (as it hugged my arch much better) and same for the heel area. The last shape also, in the tops of my toe box as I have very shallow toes and you can see where the last was shaped there, diping in where as in a RTW last I would always have excess space there due to the last shape. So yes, it is more contoured in the last, but you won’t find the aesthetic contours that I still believe you are referring to which is less about last contour and more about finishing details such as narrow waists, tighter heels etc. Those things give impressions of a contoured shape but are most aesthetics than anything
Thank you justin!
my pleasure!