About Us

Bill was born in Canada and moved to England whilst still a teenager. While at university, he took a job in the shoemaking district of London's West End.

He went on to work with some of the finest craftsmen in London for 11 years, absorbing from them the intricate, detailed knowledge that could be lost when the old men themselves died. In the process, he became a master last-maker, one of the few now left in this country.

Bill set up on his own in 1986 and moved the business to Northwick Business Centre in 1988, specialising in making shoes for people who, because of their foot problems, couldn't simply walk into a shop and buy the shoes they wanted. He since studied chiropody and biomechanics to deepen his understanding of these problems with the intention of making your feet feel as good as possible in shoes that look as good as possible.

Rose has been with the firm since 2000 and assists Bill in many of the workshop processes. Rose specialises in shoe-room techniques in which she takes the shoes from the hands of the makers and transforms them into the polished and completed footwear ready for presentation to the client.  She is also responsible for the selection, care and cutting out of our extensive range of upper leathers as well as the essential behind the scenes general administration, book keeping and customer care.

Russell began his shoemaking career in 1995.  He worked at Bill Bird Shoes between 1997 and 2001, rejoining the firm early in 2004.He is responsible for closing the uppers. This is the folding, assembly and fine stitching of the upper part of the shoes. He then does the process of pulling over and shaping the uppers onto the lasts.  He also does many other workshop processes, and takes care of the oak bark tan leathers used in the interior and bottom of the shoes.

Emily joined us full time in December 2005. She graduated with a BA in Footwear Design from The London College of Fashion in 2003 and has had three years experience with a fine bespoke shoemaker in the West End of London. She works particularly with our women clients helping them choose inspired designs, before making the patterns and helping Russell with the closing.

Either Russell, Rose or Emily may answer the telephone when you call and will be happy to help you with any queries.

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