I have always felt close to the Heschung brand because I lived most of my life in Alsace. And of course because it is a beautiful French brand like few others left. And the result is there: passion, beautiful products and a story that has not yet finished being written...
The leathers used are natural and of the highest quality (French calf, lamb, deer). The attention to detail is very noticeable when you look closely at the sole and stitching of the shoe.
And even more so when we look at their technical properties: leathers cooked in paraffin to waterproof them, water-repellent wools from Arpin mills, and rabbit fur interiors (sole included) for the most wintery models...
I have a pair of the brand's rangers, which I was able to lug around again this winter between the Scottish swamps and the snowy sidewalks of Montreal, to finally wear them (minus big socks) here in France: and they are truly indestructible. They are even starting to take on a nice patina: these are indeed shoes that will last at least a few decades.
So when I was asked to meet Pierre Heschung to present the future premium line, I of course accepted.
History of the Heschung brand
It was in 1934 that Eugène Heschung created the workshop, in the small town of Dettwiller in the north of Alsace. From the start, the brand produced Norwegian stitched (and Goodyear), which is still one of its trademarks. At the time it was about boots and work shoes: we therefore didn't joke about the durability and solidity of the products.
In the 50s and 60s, the brand specialized in ski boots. And Heschung became the official supplier of the ski team, with whom it won 9 medals at the Grenoble Olympics in 1968 and 8 medals at the Sapporo Olympics 4 years later.
In the 90s, the current manager Pierre Heschung (who is Eugène's grandson) succeeded in repositioning the brand in the world of high-end shoes. It introduces more elegant designs while respecting the artisanal and technical heritage of past generations.
Today, the brand is revitalized and employs 180 people, thanks to good export results in Asian markets. And half of the collection is made in France, the other half in Hungary. This is already a sufficient guarantee of quality: some of the manufacturing stages do not require particular know-how, so we might as well reduce the cost of manufacturing already expensive shoes.
Especially since it’s not just in France that we can still find specialized workers: let’s not be chauvinistic 🙂
And here is a short video to give you an overview of the manufacturing:
The Atelier Heschung collection
Heschung is launching a Premium collection very soon: the Ateliers Heschung . My first question when I heard the news was to wonder what the premium line could consist of... from a premium brand. Well I wasn't disappointed and I brought back some photos of my favorite models.
Price-wise, these are expensive shoes, but that's relative: a €400 shoe that improves over time and lasts at least 10 years is ultimately less expensive than buying a shoe every year. dung at €60 that you take no pleasure in wearing and ends up with holes after 8 months.
The premium line is a bit more expensive: the models presented range between €400 and €500. We agree, it's not a student budget , but like a pair of beautiful Naked and Famous jeans , it remains a reasonable purchase.
We find all the iconic details of the brand... these shoes are a sort of concentrate of Heschung's DNA. Ball bearing for the laces, quality leathers, Norwegian stitched, and for the technical part: vibram sole, very light (like for military shoes). In the end, these are beautiful, waterproof, easy to use, and super durable shoes.
This little triangular piece of leather is great: it prevents water from seeping in even when it reaches the height of the lacing.
The interior is, as always, fully lined and very comfortable.
We find in particular the ball bearings of ski boots.
Norwegian stitching and vibram sole. Regular points are a guarantee of quality. This is also what will allow easy resoling in a few years.
Here we have Arpin mountain wool.
Notice the quality of the strap:
you will never have this result on ordinary shoes.
There are also low models.
And other models that may leave some people perplexed...
...to then realize that you can absolutely create good looks with it, without looking clumsy!
