Ravel was introduced at the cooperation ceremony between Mattina and Vibram in May, featuring Vibram’s Gumlite ultra-light sole. Milky white color, coupled with blue suede, is really a summer choice.
Unboxing
Although this carton is only used for outer packaging and express delivery to prevent the shoe box inside from being crushed, this transparent tape, the size of the font, is very brand-conscious!
I think the trademark is too small on the cover…… but it doesn’t matter. When Google first came out, it was a meaningless word. You see it many times, it becomes a brand feature!
Style Ravel, last C, a small round toe. Size 38. Leather is Superbuck Navy.
Maurice Ravel is a French musician. I don’t know much about classical music. I only read the introduction that he brought rich colours to music. I think this should be the reason why this shoe is named.
When I was writing this article, I was listening to his Bolero. Yes, it is also the brand of a Japanese shoemaker.
What makes me most curious is the leather Superbuck.
Although the name is unfamiliar to me, the tannery that produces it is quite familiar, Charles F. Stead from Leeds, England, a professional suede household, the top tier Janus collection and the most used Repello, all of which are the first choice for suede.
Superbuck can be considered as suede with a certain oily wax texture, which is soft and comfortable.
Open the lid, wooden shoehorn was on the top. I dislike the crumpled print paper. I don’t hate it crumpled, I hate it as a disposable thing.
Many brands will give shoehorn as a complimentary, and what I see most is in plastic, and many brands have the same color, but the logo printed on them is different.
Function wise, there is nearly no difference, but from the brand building, it is a problem.
Yearn Shoemaker wrapped a layer of orange leather on that plastic, which is very beautiful and amazing, but there is another problem, wear resistance is not the advantage of good leather, especially the leather without thickcoating.
Corthay supplie metal shoehorn, which could be oxidized.
Mattina’s wooden shoehorn is easy to use, and you won’t worry about the problem of obsolescence at all. This short design is not surprising if you buy shoehorn alone, but it is unique among the shoehorns sent by the brand.
Pattern
Although it is the most common penny loafer, there are still several design elements.
The first one, the leather in the apron area, copies J.M.Weston iconic loafer 180, which is to cut the edges of the leather thin and then put them together to make the raised edges thinner.
Maybe people don’t feel it when I say this, so let’s just look at what it’s like in John Lobb Lopez without thinning.
It feels a little rougher, but these two designs are already peerless classics, depending on personal preferences. I like to cut it thin.
I’m not sure whether Weejun is the initiator of the connection of penny strap, but the standard American elements are certain. Very casual, loafer is already very casual, I am afraid this is more “street”.
Leather
Although Superbuck is different from ordinary ones at first sight, the feeling of oil wax is not strong. Strong feeling of oil wax will make it rougher, which is quite acceptable in a spring and summer loafer.
Outsole
The sole is Vibram Gumlite, which is ultra-light.
Construction wise, it is to sew a thin leather outsole to the welt, then attach a layer of rubber outsole.
I think it is acceptable, but such shoes are more fashionable. It depends on what style you want to express.
Improvements
I think Mattina’s products, including branding, are great! I dare not say that his shoes are the best made in China, but the brand building, I think, is very positive. For example, Thom Willis is definitely more famous than Mattina, but Mattina is the brand building of high-end goods. Although Thom Willis has some photos of celebrities, the grade will be more “entry”, and the word has been quite beautified.
However, on this pair, I think some points can be improved.
Welt Colour
Just looking at the product, the upper is not particularly deep blue, and the bottom is white sole, which is a relaxed summer texture. However, there is a serious black layer in the middle, which is very abrupt.
From the manufacturing point of view, the welt leather is by default crust colour and painted later. Although in the production of almost all shoes, regardless of the leather, this place is painted black, but in this pair of shoes, the color of the upper should be matched.
Consistence
The shoe information on the lining, I remember there was last information before, why is this pair gone?
The consistency of shoe products is still very important.
Conclusion
Summer navy blue suede Penny Loafer, plus Vibram Gumlite ultra-light milky white outsole, is another pair of shoes that can walk sideways in summer!