In Deutschland gibt es nur noch etwa 100 Schuhmacher, die nach alter Handwerkstradition Schuhe fertigen. Die Gebrüder Zwick aus Pirmasens betreiben eine Schuhmanufaktur und Benno Zwick fertigt hier auch Maßschuhe nach alter Handwerkstradition. Der Maschinenpark erleichtert zwar manche Arbeitsschritte und senkt die Kosten, doch das Handwerk steht im Vordergrund.
Shoes are a reflection of our status. They used to be expensive; children often walked barefoot or in clogs and only received their first pair after they had grown up, which had to last a long time. Today, shoes are more affordable, but sustainability often goes unnoticed. As the saying goes: “I'm too poor to buy cheap shoes.” Handmade bespoke shoes accompany their wearer for years or decades. There are only around 100 traditional shoemakers left in Germany. The Zwick brothers from Pirmasens run a shoe factory where Benno Zwick makes bespoke shoes using traditional craftsmanship. Although machines make some work steps easier and reduce costs, the focus is still on craftsmanship. We follow the creation of a pair of shoes from the idea to the finished product and learn a lot about the craftsman's ethos, high-quality leather, techniques and the advantages of handmade shoes - a statement against the throwaway society, beneficial for foot health and meaningful about the wearer.
