Company: Belgian Shoes

Belgian Shoes are a unique variety of hand-stitched loafer, with their roots in Izegem, Belgium, a historical hub of the nation’s shoe industry. The brand was born in 1955, when Henri Bendel, nephew of the founder of the renowned New York boutique bearing the same name, crafted the first pair. These shoes became instantly recognizable for their small bow near the top of the vamp, a signature feature that has stood the test of time.

When the Bendel family sold their department store, Henri Bendel established the Belgian Shoes boutique at 60 East 56th Street, Manhattan. The boutique later relocated in 2001 to its current address at 110 East 55th Street. Over the years, Belgian Shoes have evolved from a boutique brand into a status symbol, cherished among the Upper East Side and Hamptons social sets, and have become more widely worn in recent years.

Belgian Shoes hold a significant place not just in fashion but also in cultural history. As early as the 1960s, the brand was notable for signifying a resistance to prevailing fashion trends, with few significant changes to the range since its inception. For his tremendous efforts in reviving the Belgian shoe industry through the design and sale of this iconic shoe, the Belgian government awarded Bendel the Knight of the Order of Leopold the First in 1964, and Knight Commander of the Order of Leopold the Second in 1970.