Colorful Chukkas from Christian Kimber
Boots from Melbourne in styles named for Darjeeling, Oolong and Rooibos tea
It’s not exactly breaking news that Melbourne is quickly becoming one of the world’s most stylish and exciting cities. Melbourne’s growing art and culture scene has been luring people from across the globe to start new ventures in Australia’s second city—nice weather and a killer coffee culture probably aren’t hurting anything either.
Christian Kimber landed in Melbourne back in 2011 after a few years working in and around London’s Savile Row. A native Londoner, Kimber cut his teeth working with some of the city’s best tailors and shoemakers, learning everything from design to construction to customer service. He’d been thinking of starting his own brand for some time, and a move to Melbourne was just the thing needed to set Christian Kimber Footwear into motion.
Inspired by the way Australian men injected classic styles with their own laid back flourishes, Kimber decided to start his eponymous brand with a colorful collection of chukka boots. “The shoes are intended to be worn from day to night, casually with beat-up denim but equally at home with classic tailoring,” says Kimber. “Melbourne guys are rather relaxed in terms of lifestyle and dress, so I wanted to produce something that would look smart without being overly formal. For the most part though, I got started simply designing shoes my friends and I would want to wear.”
Kimber’s boots have a very English chiseled toe, and both the studded rubber and leather soles are Goodyear Welted. The various colors have playful tea-inspired names like Oolong (green), Assam (Blue) and Rooibos (red), each with a contrasting stripe on the heel for good measure. The unlined Spanish suede uppers make them perfect for wearing with or without socks. Tastefully wrapped up in each pair are English heritage, European craftsmanship and Australian ingenuity—think modern Melbourne in ankle boot form.
You can find Christian Kimber Footwear online as well as in both Beggar Man Thief and Henry Bucks around Melbourne. Chukka boots are priced at $350 AUD. For Made-to-Order options, email contact@christiankimber.com.
Images courtesy of Christian Kimber
