For over sixty years, a quiet workshop in Marylebone, London, has been home to an increasingly rare craft: the art of truly bespoke shoemaking. At Gilbert & Lisson, every pair of shoes begins not with leather, but with a conversation, an understanding of how a client walks, how they live, and what brings them comfort or what helps reduce or eradicate pain. Only then does the work of truly transforming those insights into elegant, handmade footwear begin.

Founded in 1962, Gilbert & Lisson has built its reputation on creating shoes for people whose feet no longer fit the regular ‘off the shelf’ footwear. Over the decades, clients have come to us seeking relief from bunions, dropped arches, diabetes-related complications, leg-length discrepancies, or simply the frustration of never being able to find well-fitting, stylish shoes. While technology in footwear has advanced dramatically, the team at G&L believe that nothing replaces the trained eye of a craftsman.

“Shoes are like teeth — people only think about them when there’s a problem or pain,” says Robert, one of G&L’s master craftsmen. “We don’t think about our feet or shoes as much as we should.”

Where Craftsmanship Meets Medical Understanding

Each pair of shoes begins with a detailed biomechanical and gait assessment. The team capture the way the foot moves, how weight is distributed, and where pressure builds. From these insights, a bespoke shoe last is carved, following a three-dimensional form of the foot but adapted to the precise style of footwear agreed upon. The handcrafted last ensures the final shoe is built precisely to the client’s anatomy, not to a standard size. This not only ensures comfort and structural support in exactly the right places, but also long-lasting and more durable footwear.

Hand-lasting, stitching, welting, shaping and finishing follow, each step completed by craftsmen who have spent decades honing their skills. Fine leathers are selected for comfort, durability, and the ability to adapt gently to the foot over time. The process can take many weeks, reflecting the traditional methods that have largely disappeared in modern footwear production.

In an era of fast fashion, this level of meticulous detail has become a lost art. But for G&L, tradition is not nostalgia. It is a necessity. Many clients arrive after years of discomfort, unable to walk long distances or enjoy activities they once loved. Bespoke craftsmanship offers not simply footwear, but restoration and recovery of greater mobility and flexibility.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Client;

Why Quality Footwear Matters More With Age

As we grow older, our feet naturally change: arches lower, joints stiffen, and previous injuries begin to make themselves known. Off-the-shelf shoes, even premium ones, are rarely shaped to support these changes. Poorly fitting shoes can contribute to back pain, balance issues, instability, and perhaps most frustratingly reduced mobility.

This is why bespoke special footwear makes the point that it is not simply a luxury, but an investment in both comfort and independence. Proper support can dramatically improve comfort and mobility, helping people remain active in the lifestyle they choose or love, whether golfing, walking coastal trails, or simply being on their feet exploring and shopping with friends in town centres etc.

A Quiet Craft With a Lasting Impact

For many customers, receiving their finished footwear is a profoundly emotional moment. The ability to walk comfortably again, to stand longer, move freely, or return to hobbies, is something a machine-built shoe is rarely able to deliver.

It is here, in the balance of tradition and medical understanding, where G&L continues to thrive. This important work reminds us that craftsmanship still has a special place in modern day life, especially when it restores something as essential as the simple joy of walking well.

Book our complimentary consultation

Recognising the large community of British residents in the Algarve, many of whom seek to explore and evaluate high-quality medical and lifestyle footwear solutions, Gilbert & Lisson brings its full bespoke consultation service to the Algarve on a bi-monthly basis.

Date: 9-12 (Incl.) March 2026

Venue: Top suite, Hotel Quinta Jacintina, 8135-025 Almancil, Portugal

Book the consultation here.

Your appointment or consultation will cover (on a complimentary basis):

● A full electronic and practical biomechanical and gait analysis

● A personalised footwear and orthotic consultation

● Review of individual concerns such as bunions, dropped arches, diabetes, leg imbalances etc

● Options for bespoke shoes, orthotic insoles, and ongoing support

These visits will take place every two months, allowing clients in the Algarve, Portugal to receive continuous care without travelling to London.

Limited slots available by appointment - click to book today!

For more information, please contact Gilbert & Lisson at +44 20 7486 4664 or info@gilbertandlisson.com.

Our address: 12 New Cavendish Street, London, W1G 8UN, United Kingdom

by Gilbert and Lisson