Sales & Shopping

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• April 5, 2007
• Object Lesson

Object Lesson: The Shining

A golden opportunity from Chausser is a step in the right direction. By Johnathan Lawhorne

It's a sad fact that guys often get the short end of the deal when it comes to footwear. If they're smart, they stick to traditional quality basics and perhaps only show their colors with a new pair of limited-edition trainers. But the Tokyo-based label Chausser aims to deliver a quality shoe to the modern gentleman that still has a bit of pop-cultural currency. This Japanese import—what we might call a modified gold leather oxford-jazz shoe overhauled for the city's mean streets—has all the makings of a blockbuster, from fashion to function.

Yoichi Maeda, the head designer behind the burgeoning label, appropriately cites durability and comfort as the guiding design principles in the conception of every dynamic collection, including this solid-gold number. The longevity of Maeda's creations is a direct result of his meticulous care in the leather selection process, which is the mainstay of the line. Perhaps best of all, these handcrafted wonders are still incredibly light despite the workmanship behind them. Sure, they're a departure from your other faves, but after a few wearings in Metropolis, the neutral metallic will feel like your gold standard of spring.

Gold leather shoes by Chausser ($330) are available in New York at BBlessing, 181 Orchard Street (between Houston and Stanton streets), 212-378-9528.

A golden opportunity from Chausser is a step in the right direction.