Tradition and succession of J.M. WESTON, a symbol of French elegance

J.M. WESTON, renowned as the pinnacle of French shoes, is a brand that has been loved throughout the ages for its outstanding craftsmanship and graceful designs. This attitude of taking the time to create good products is not only applied to shoes, but also to the brand and the people who work for it. In this article, we introduce the history and technology of the brand, which is full of inquisitiveness, as well as its commitment to sustainability.

The story of shoes born in France

J.M. WESTON’s history began in 1891 in Limoges, France. The founder, Édouard Blanchard, created more practical and sophisticated shoes while preserving traditional French shoemaking techniques. Later, his son Eugène learned the latest technology of the time in the U.S.
and incorporated it into the brand, which evolved dramatically.


In 1932, he opened a boutique on the Champs-Elysées in Paris and established himself as a status symbol among sophisticated Parisians. Iconic models such as the Golf #641 and Signature Loafer #180 were created during this period and remain representative of the brand to this day.

The comfort and timeless design

J.M. WESTON is a brand that symbolizes French traditional, yet pursues functional beauty to the extreme. The company uses the Goodyear welt manufacturing method, which is the design of leather shoes and is characterized by a structure that conforms to the foot as it is worn in. In addition, by using original rubber soles and thick double soles, the brand offers both durability and comfort.

At the Intersection of Japanese Traditions

Launched in 2017, the J.M. Weston Foundation Award provides an opportunity for young artisans from France and Japan to exchange studies. Selected artisans from France and Japan study abroad in each other’s countries to learn the highest quality shoemaking. Even though the brand has spread from Limoges, France to the rest of the world, the emphasis is still on education to ensure the same high standards of craftsmanship are passed on everywhere.

Inheritance for the future - sustainable craftsmanship

At the heart of J.M. Weston is an awareness of a sustainable future. The “Weston Vintage” project, in which shoes that have outlived their usefulness are collected, restored, and recycled by skilled craftsmen, is a perfect example of this. By reintroducing them to the market as vintage shoes, they are given a new lease on life.


The J.M. Weston Foundation was also established to pass on craftsmanship and preserve traditional techniques. The J.M. Weston Foundation Awards mentioned earlier are part of these activities. While supporting the development of the younger generation of craftspeople and technological innovation, the J.M. Weston Foundation is weaving the brand’s identity into the future.

J.M. WESTON shoes are not just fashion items, but works of art that will be handed down through the ages. By generously investing in the transmission of its exceptional skills to the next generation, J.M. Weston’s footprints will continue to carve out a new history.