On June 20 and 21, two of Europe’s most exceptional artisans, Peter Nitz and Korbinian Ludwig Heß, will come together for a rare, two-day event in the heart of Zurich’s Old Town. Hosted at the Atelier Peter Nitz, this event offers a unique opportunity to experience true craftsmanship up close and to commission bespoke leather goods or custom-made shoes directly from the makers themselves.
"I am thrilled to be welcoming Korbinian Ludwig Heß to my Zurich atelier" says Peter Nitz. "If you're not yet familiar with KLH, his bespoke shoes are among the finest I've seen. If you’ve ever considered commissioning a pair or are simply curious to learn more, this is a rare opportunity to experience his work up close."
“Our approach to bespoke shoemaking is that of close collaboration. Precisely constructed to fit our client perfectly, KLH bespoke shoes are conceived in a way that will impart their wearer with an inner and outer stance.” - Korbinian Ludwig Hess
Korbinian Ludwig Heß is a master shoemaker from Berlin celebrated for his dedication to timeless elegance and traditional techniques. Originally trained at the esteemed Rudolf Scheer & Söhne in Vienna, Heß transitioned from opera singing to shoemaking, driven by a passion for the craft.
Since establishing his Berlin workshop in 2017, he has been crafting bespoke shoes entirely by hand, eschewing electric machinery in favor of traditional methods. Each pair is the culmination of a meticulous process, involving multiple fittings and personalized adjustments to ensure a perfect match to the client's foot and personality.
"At the first appointment, we take a number of detailed measurements from the client’s feet. We use these measurements to create the last upon which the shoe will be built, sculpted by hand in beech wood. Aside from taking the measurements, this meeting creates space to exchange ideas, design references and personal preferences that we will incorporate into the design of the shoe" says Korbinian Ludwig Heß.
"In a second meeting, the client can wear and walk in a fitting shoe as we make all necessary adjustments to avoid even the slightest pressure points. Sometimes it takes up to three pairs of fitting shoes until it’s exactly what we want it to be."
