Hello.
I'm Nakayama from CASANOVA&CO.
As I posted on Instagram, our entire staff gave the store a makeover, and CASANOVA&CO's autumn/winter collection has deepened considerably.
Perhaps the lingering summer heat is milder this year, as I'm starting to feel the gentle calm of autumn.
Among them, I'd like to introduce something I've been personally looking forward to very much.
PETROSOLAUM
H chukker
material _ Kudu
color _ brown
size _ 39H,40,40H,41
Unusually for our store, these are brown shoes from PETROSOLAUM.
They are also a new model for PETROSOLAUM's 25AW lineup.
H chukker.
I was instinctively drawn to them among the 25AW lineup.
It might also be because I was mentally prepared to wear boots this year.
It's also been two years since I started wearing PETROSOLAUM leather shoes, specifically the whole-cut model, which is a relatively classic short shoe.
I wanted to explore new territory.
Given my personality, while I thought sharp and elegant boot styles were cool, I felt a bit self-conscious and awkward about wearing them myself.
That's why I was captivated by the H chukker, which uses the 03 last (the same as the side gore and my whole cut) but features a Tyrolean shoe-like opening with an integrated tongue, giving it the charm of a mountain boot.
It accurately interprets the mood emanating from the shape of the leather shoes, and the way it adds casualness is not overdone.
Not too playful, yet bold.
I felt it was an intricate design that ventured into a very difficult compromise.
This might also be due to their long-standing efforts in Paris and their continuous collaborations with overseas apparel brands.
I don't know why, but that's how it feels.
I was very attracted to the design as if it had always existed.
As I mentioned, I wasn't very familiar with boots, so I couldn't imagine how they would fit into my style until the actual product arrived, but I tried to imagine it.
But it was pointless, lol.
Seeing the actual product, the answer naturally came to me.
I decided to make them a versatile pair with a lot of humor that could be styled casually.
I instinctively felt that this was a way of enjoying them that could only be achieved through PETROSOLAUM's excellent shoemaking.
Also, the shaft height of PETROSOLAUM boots is very well-balanced.
Some models in the brand's lineup do have higher shafts.
This height, which perfectly covers the outer ankle, is revolutionary.
There is absolutely no peaked sensation.
So, I decided to confidently embrace it as a stylistic choice.
My way of wearing them is certainly not the only right way, but it's enjoyable to explore various options by trusting the comfort of the leather shoes.
That's why I want to thoroughly convey all the elements of these leather shoes.
First, the leather.
It's a wild leather with scale-like variations in shade within the base brown color, and visible scratch marks here and there.
It's called Kudu leather.
It seems it's also called Koodoo.
"Huh?"
When I looked it up immediately, it turned out to be leather from a very unique animal.
It has impressive, majestic horns and a deer-like face.
Its skeletal structure is robust, and its body is like that of a cow.
It's classified as part of the Bovidae family, it seems.
Its habitat is South Africa.
The scratches carved here and there are like badges of honor from its resilient life, because it's leather from an animal living in the wild.
This texture gives it a wonderful depth.
Up close, it's wild.
While not a glossy leather, it shows a smooth sheen depending on the angle.
Such masculinity.
The edge of the sole is also finished with a slightly suede-like texture to match the leather's feel.
I think this is quite important.
It's a brilliant supporting actor that harmonizes with and enhances the main upper leather.
Next, the distinctive detail of the H chukker.
The opening where the shoelaces are tied, folded inwards.
This part is made of a single piece of kudu leather for the upper.
Despite being a bold design, I believe this is also a rational design that correctly grasps the characteristics of the leather.
Kudu is an animal with the face of a deer and the body of a cow.
Surprisingly, the characteristics of the leather's texture are precisely that; it possesses the elasticity and toughness of cowhide while also feeling supple like deerskin.
This elasticity and suppleness combine, causing the folded parts to softly swell, gently embracing and holding the instep of the foot.
It's an astonishing point where the wearability, a product aspect, and the essence of the leather are brought out.
I feel like this is where the spirit of PETROSOLAUM's shoemaking, which is rooted in discerning the characteristics of leather and creating shoes that maximize them, truly shines through.
The swelling at the tip of the folded part is simply irresistible.
It's truly amazing how the side view remains so elegant with this kind of opening design.
This gentle curve towards the ankle creates a beautiful connection with the hem of your pants.
The sole is also beautifully polished.
Every time I see a new pair of PETROSOLAUM, I'm impressed by the beauty of the finish.
The firmly hammered "wooden pegs" and hidden channel are characteristic of PETROSOLAUM.
The uneven color also pairs well with the kudu leather.
This time, the construction method is also McKay.
I've only been wearing the H chukker for about a month, but I've been wearing them at a pace of two days on, one day off, and the upper has already started to conform to my foot.
The sole is gradually settling, with a slow subsidence beginning to appear.
Nakayama's model's progress as of September 30th.
Since I sometimes wear them a little loosely depending on the day's style and situation, the opening has started to conform to the shape of my ankle.
The way it folds has also slightly changed on the inside, following my walking habits and foot shape.
And, since I wanted to wear the H chukker as a style statement, I changed to the flat laces that came with them, considering what would suit me best.
I felt their potential to blend with casual wear like denim and cargo pants, as well as with slacks and pants from more modern brands, so I wanted to eliminate as much of the leather shoes' distinctive character as possible.
To balance the wild texture of the kudu leather, I chose thin flat laces.
The creases from wear appear finely along the original grain of the scale-like leather.
They blend in with the original texture, so in reality, they're not as noticeable as in the photos.
Here's a comparison with a new pair.
The one in front is Nakayama's model, and the one behind is a new H chukker.
I can only convey it by feel, but don't they look softer and more broken in?
I didn't experience intense pain when I started wearing them, but I feel they broke in faster compared to the Cordovan butt leather, which is synonymous with PETROSOLAUM.
When I photographed and compared my personal pair with a new one for the first time, I felt that the color had also deepened slightly.
The one in front is Nakayama's model.
The one behind is a new H chukker.
You might have noticed in the photos, but I applied half-rubber and sole rubber.
There are several reasons, which I'll briefly note below, but it's best to choose based on how you want to wear them. Also, you can feel the brand's stance in the finishing of the new sole, so I haven't applied anything to the new ones.
・I wanted to know what it was like since I hadn't worn leather shoes with half-rubber before.
・I wanted to wear them tough as a style, so I wouldn't worry about any road surface.
・I thought that adding a little black from the heel rubber would be good for the color balance.
The reasons are generally like this.
Among them, the most important reason is the third one: the color balance.
Similar to why I changed to flat laces, I wanted to add a sense of product by incorporating black into the color scheme and the rubber texture, considering the balance with the impression of kudu leather.
Even so, it's quite a subtle difference, isn't it? lol
By the way, for those who prefer the wild texture of kudu leather, wearing them with a leather sole, as proper leather shoes, is also an excellent option.
A characteristic of PETROSOLAUM's kudu leather is that it also retains the wearer's marks.
In fact, I commute on my Super Cub (currently broken), so the marks of Nakayama's daily life are etched onto the toes.
I'm sure more will gradually be etched over time, but the fact that the natural expressions of Nakayama's life will remain among the kudu's "badges of honor" from its lifetime is something I can view positively precisely because it's kudu leather.
I think one of the interesting aspects of the H chukker is its depth, where considering a very personal way of wearing them, almost like a final touch, can change the impression of the leather shoes and their meaning to oneself.
The ideal style I had in mind for the H chukker, after all that thinking, really came together as intended.
The pants are calmlence's DOUBLE PLEATED EASY TAPERED.
The kudu leather holds its own against the washed texture of wool and silk.
I was, of course, imagining them with my partner Yamauchi's cargo pants.
The impression of H chukker changes when you change the pants. Yet, they blend in well.
Rather than being versatile, they feel like a profound and interesting pair.
The impression changes slightly again when a long shirt peeks out.
As for me, this is how I wanted to wear H chukker.
H chukker is a boot where the texture and characteristics of kudu leather are maximized.
How will I wear these leather shoes that PETROSOLAUM has created?
My heart was instinctively moved to face the H chukker that the brand had perfected and to bring out my best in how I wore them.
While writing this blog, I thought that the brand's passion for shoemaking might have been unconsciously conveyed to me.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us via the inquiry form, Instagram, or by phone.
Also, please feel free to consult us about half rubber and heel rubber.
Information on approximate sizing is listed on the product page.
We hope you will take a look.