Welcome to the first article of 2022, which is actually a recap of what happened in Misiu Academy in 2021!
A yearly short article where I discuss my purchases, regrets, reflections and future plans with the readers.
One of the most enjoyable articles of the year for me and hopefully a good one for you.
Let’s find out what happened in 2021 together in a relaxed discussion article.
A rich, beautiful year
The year 2021 was challenging for many reasons, most notably the raging global pandemic we all know and hate.
In addition, on a personal level it was often disappointing due to family illnesses, difficulties with friends and living in a country I did not enjoy.
However, instead of sulking and blaming everything, I decided to use that to my advantage.
You see, very often we lament our problems instead of identifying them and doing something about them.
Misiu Academy has over 15000 monthly readers now and thanks to your support much more next year.
Overall, I am very satisfied with Misiu Academy in 2021 and the new direction of the blog excites me.
YouTube Channel
Probably the most surprising growth came in my YouTube Channel.
I still remember my first video in 2020, where I was so nervous and had no idea where to look or set up the lights.
Look at the last 10 videos and you will notice a quantum leap in quality and presentation.
Picture from my Vass Budapest Video Review
Soon we will celebrate 2000 Subscribers and with the list of shoes and clothes up for Review, next year will be even more exciting.
Finding the ideal set up, background and continuing to be genuine and honest helped a lot.
Expect great things next year in the summary that will follow at the end.
I appreciate you all when you watch my videos, leave comments and subscribe.
The Noble shoe
The Noble Shoe is my baby, my creation and my passion.
In 2021 the goal was to grow and rebrand the shop, which was a tremendous success.
A new website, logotype and modern feel with exciting monthly additions in all price levels.
Bringing you unique make ups every single month!
Of course, all coupled with the best customer service you can get from a shoe shop.
We achieved all those goals and even more and feedback about the new look has been amazing.
What’s in store for next year? You will soon find out!
the dolce vita in italy
My biggest, most important achievement was my move to Florence, Italy.
And not just to change scenery and be south again near Mediterranean cultures.
Because my ultimate goal was to learn Bespoke Shoemaking from the best school in the world.
Stefano Bemer Store Entrance in Florence
And this journey is starting in 1 month here in the majestic town of Florence.
The goal with this is not just to have additional skills and pursue the career that I want.
It is also for me to offer better services and knowledge in The Noble Shoe but also in Misiu Academy.
Because there are to many technicalities and shoe specific constructions and materials that people like you and me have just scratched the surface.
Understanding how to really make a shoe will give deep knowledge and improve my Reviews and advice greatly.
Purchases, Regrets & surprises
This section will be an interesting one for a few reasons.
For the most part I barely bought any new clothing items this year.
In fact, most of my shoes were Review Pairs and I really need to purge my shoe collection once more.
Since I have a policy of not requesting free items unless someone contacts me and it fits my style, I actually paid proper money for the most expensive shoes.
As I take a welcome 2 days off, I am happy to still present you with all the latest news from the shoe world of the past month! Rather quiet and consistent instead of exciting, most of the news focus on trunk shows, new releases and events.
“Shoes transform your body language and attitude. They lift you physically and emotionally.”
Christian Loboutin
Every man needs a good pair of shoes. The Loake 1880 Oxford Aldwych is the most elegant offering of the classic English shoemaker. This review will tell you everything you need to know about it and a bit more!
This week I received a pair of shoes from George Lyon Shoes! A small emerging brand from the USA making a small curated selection of shoes and offering matching belts for a fair price. Today we will be looking at a pair of Chukkas in Grain Leather so make sure to check out the Review for all the details!
Not surprisingly August is behind us while we enter Autumn! This latest edition of the “Welted Shoe News” is very quiet, as generally August is the most quiet month for the shoe industry. It is also a great time for them to close the factories, take a breather and some vacations and recharge their batteries for the rest of 2020.
In this article you will find more about my recent interview Podcast with Shoegazing, News about their Trunk Show moved to 2021, the Isetan Expo and various little news and sales from different brands.
Summer is at full swing and for us gentlemen that means one thing! Loafers!
In today’s article we will do an in depth review of the 9780 Penny Loafer by Carlos Santos for The Noble Shoe. Goodyear Welted in Portugal on the soft square 387 last with soft, light brown suede uppers for style and comfort.
For those of you that are interested and want to know more about Carlos Santos’ Loafers this is a good chance, although this model is an exclusive Limited MTO for our shop.
Lately I have been thinking about how to improve the blog, as time is rather limited to write those massive guides I used to do. So I have been exploring a few guest posts and interviews as long as the quality is good. One of my friends, Andy Vaughn owns a Shoe Polish Company called “Pure Polish” and since I am not an expert in shoe shining, he offered to write an article explaining everything visually!
So here you can see in a lot of steps how you can mirror shine a pair of black (or any color) leather shoes to a spectacular mirror shine!
A ray of light during this Covid-19 Madness was the completion and arrival of a very exciting Group Made To Order we did in January with The Noble Shoe. We took the very popular Carlos Santos 9156 Field Boot, changed the last to the 401 and mounted them on a Dainite Sole. Then we Hand-Painted them in a few different gorgeous Patinas! So today I would like to present to you the possibilities of a GMTO and some beautiful pictures of the boots!
One more year is over. 2019 was a very challenging year for many of us. You and me. Sometimes it is nice to take a break, sit back and reflect about what happened, if you reached your goals, what went wrong, what went right and decide what goals you want to pursue next year.
I have a feeling your trip to Paolo Scafora’s workshop will be akin to visiting Santa’s workshop as a kid before Christmas, no? I know I’m very much looking forward to reading all about it!
Unfortunately Paolo’s father passed on new year. Very sad.
The workshop was amazing to be in but a short experience since this is not a huge operation. Still amazing to visit. I will check my photos since some are confidential so if I have enough content I will write about it!
Great Article Kostas … I’m so glad you are very positive minded in every aspect of your life right now!
Great to hear you will be adding new shoe brands to “The Noble Shoe” also !!! I really admire your resolve to become a bespkoe shoemaker, and to learn all of the intricacies of shoemaking. I am certain that will pay huge dividends to you in so many ways over the coming years … Bravo !!!
Congratulations to all your successful achievements last year, Kostas!
I always appreciate your personal & high quality tests and blog articles, and am glad to hear that you intend to improve them even further. (Just wondering how you manage to get it all done within a 24 h day).
All the best for the coming year, and looking forward to hear more about your new experiences as a shoemaker. Judging by quality standards you’ve set yourself so far, the shoes you’re going to make will be spectacular!
Hi Kostas,
Much luck to you in this New Year!
I have a feeling your trip to Paolo Scafora’s workshop will be akin to visiting Santa’s workshop as a kid before Christmas, no? I know I’m very much looking forward to reading all about it!
Cheers!
Hi Steve, thanks!
Unfortunately Paolo’s father passed on new year. Very sad.
The workshop was amazing to be in but a short experience since this is not a huge operation. Still amazing to visit. I will check my photos since some are confidential so if I have enough content I will write about it!
Great Article Kostas … I’m so glad you are very positive minded in every aspect of your life right now!
Great to hear you will be adding new shoe brands to “The Noble Shoe” also !!! I really admire your resolve to become a bespkoe shoemaker, and to learn all of the intricacies of shoemaking. I am certain that will pay huge dividends to you in so many ways over the coming years … Bravo !!!
Thank you for your kind words as well as readership Frank. All the best to you too.
Hopefully that scafora pair will blow your mind away!
All the best to you for 2022 Kostas!!! Your blog and shop have evolved notably, keep on keeping on!!!
Thank you Panagioti! All the best to you too my friend and thank you as always for reading!
Congratulations to all your successful achievements last year, Kostas!
I always appreciate your personal & high quality tests and blog articles, and am glad to hear that you intend to improve them even further. (Just wondering how you manage to get it all done within a 24 h day).
All the best for the coming year, and looking forward to hear more about your new experiences as a shoemaker. Judging by quality standards you’ve set yourself so far, the shoes you’re going to make will be spectacular!
Hi Peter!
Thanks for the support and encouraging words! Honestly, I have no idea how I do it or how I will keep managing but for now I am hanging in there!
I promise I will have some amazing stuff coming up this year!