Le Shouvre

So you’re thinking of ordering a pair of Le Shouvre’s finest? The following information will explain the process from start to finish.

The Basics

We’ve broken the commission process down into several simple stages. Overall, the payment will involve a combination of 3 things:

1. Shoes

2. Artwork

3. Shipping

First, you need to figure out how many of these services you will need. If you are in the same place as Henry (our designer – his time is spent between Paris and Edinburgh), you may only need the Artwork. However, if you live elsewhere in the world, it’s probably easiest if he buys the shoes, then designs and applies the artwork, and then ships the finished product to you.

1. The shoes that we work on vary, but the common thread linking them all is that they are made of canvas. See Shoe Links for more information concerning the types of shoes that are best, how much they cost, and where to get them. If possible, Henry will buy the shoes locally to reduce additional shipping expenses.

2. As for artwork, the price will depend mainly on the complexity of the design. See “Artwork Rates” below for examples.

3. Shipping rates will vary depending on the weight of the shoes and the distance they are being sent, as well as customer decisions such as whether to add insurance or not. If the shoes are being shipped, a quote will be acquired before they are sent, and will be included in the overall price.

Design Ideas

Designing can be a very personal thing – perhaps you already have a very clear mental image of what you want your shoes to look like. If so, send as much information as possible, including pictures, and we’ll do our best to work with the information we receive.

On the other hand, Le Shouvre is as much concerned with the design as it is with the actual artwork; this means that if you don’t know what you want on the shoes, we are more than happy to fill in the blanks for you. Sometimes the best commissions simply involve colour suggestions: “I want my shoes to have greens, blues and yellows incorporated into a curvy pattern”, and so on. This gives us the freedom to create our own designs, but also work within specific parameters, so that you can be sure you’ll be satisfied with the end result.

One thing to consider is that even though these are mini-canvases, they are also primarily shoes. We won’t paint the Mona Lisa on your shoes – but to be honest, that looks pretty bad anyway. Keep in mind that shoes are most often seen from almost two metres away, so bold, colourful designs tend to look best.

Artwork Rates

While it would be easier for Le Shouvre to charge a flat rate for designs, that doesn’t seem fair to the customer, given the number of variables involved in each commission. Instead, every order is dealt with on an individual basis. This works to the customer’s advantage, as designs can be produced to suit budget, as well as taste.

Creating a pair of Le Shouvre shoes can often be quite time consuming. Ideas need to be bounced around, drafts need to be sketched, sketches need to be approved, shoes need to be prepared and primed, then outlined, then painted in layers (usually two or three), then finished and detailed, then varnished (two layers), then weatherproofed, and so on. The cost of the artwork is a reflection of this – the longer it takes, the more it will cost.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean you should be putting your wallet back in your pocket! The ‘consultation’ process is free, so it is possible to work within budget restraints.

Therefore, the simplest way to get an idea of pricing is to fill out the Commission form. We’ll send back a quote as soon as we can, and we can discuss things from there.

Payment

Payment is generally due after a confirmation email from you, giving Henry the green light to get to work. If you’d rather, a deposit can be paid upfront for the shoes, and then the artwork and shipping can be paid for once the shoes are ready – it’s up to you; some people prefer to get all the payment sorted out at once.

If you have provided your own shoes, the payment can be delayed until after the design is finished.

Le Shouvre has both PAYPAL and Google Checkout accounts, and most transactions can be made easily online through that – unless you are in same place as Henry, in which case paying in cash is recommended.

Given the international nature of Le Shouvre, we tend to operate either in Pounds Sterling (£) or Euros (€).

Timescale

At present, Henry is our sole designer, meaning that a buildup in orders could delay the commission process somewhat. However, things tend to move fairly swiftly, so in most cases a commission can be ready within a week or two (excluding shipping times).

Again, a more accurate timescale can be given once the order has been placed.

Shoe Condition/Maintenance

The materials used ensure that Le Shouvre designs will last roughly as long as the shoe itself. They aren’t completely waterproof, but this is mainly because canvas shoes aren’t waterproof. They can get wet, but in order to preserve the artwork and the shoe itself, it is recommended that they are saved for dry days. If they get dirty, they can be cleaned by lightly rubbing a wet cloth around the dirty areas. They have been known to survive a cold washing machine cycle, though there is a definite risk of the paint fading, so this is best avoided, if possible.

Touch-ups/repairs can often be dealt with, so feel free to contact us and we’ll see what we can do.