The Vogel sign that hung on Howard Street—with its EST 1879—is imprinted on my brain. I remember it and the brand from living in New York and being boot-obsessed. It has long made custom bespoke footwear for equestrians, celebrities, and the most particular among us. That tradition continues as it turns toward its next chapter while also looking back at one of its most iconic designs: the Paul Newman Roper Boot.
As an almost 150-year-old iconic New York City brand, Vogel stands out for its process and perspective. Somewhere along the way, Newman discovered the brand's uniqueness and commissioned a bespoke pair of Roper boots. These became an iconic piece of Newman’s wardrobe for much of his life. Recently, Vogel decided to re-release them in partnership with the Paul Newman Foundation; a portion of each pair's sale benefits. While some things fade, these Roper boots look as good now as they did when Newman wore them on set and in real life.
There weren’t many like Paul Newman. He was one of the biggest movie stars of the 20th Century, a race car driver and an entrepreneur. He was an amazing man, and frankly, there’s no current parallel to celebrities like him. On top of all of this, he remains one of the great menswear style icons. His Vogel connection feels right and it is a truly special connection for a brand to have. Randomly, I have had some coincidental life overlap with Paul Newman. We are both from Cleveland; we were both members of the same fraternity (same school and chapter), and I have volunteered for his charity, the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. Hearing what Vogel was doing with his Roper boots and foundation made this story irresistible.
While Vogel has expanded into ready-to-wear equestrian boots through a new factory it owns in North Carolina, the company's heart remains mostly in bespoke boots. (Vogel does offer the Newman Ropers in made-to-order sizes.) This custom focus has refined the offering in remarkable ways. The precision and level of detail that go into these boots are truly world-class. Each pair is made entirely by hand and is individually numbered. The fitting process is involved and helps to ensure a perfect fit. Vogel is renowned for its riding boots and equestrian offerings, which require tight tolerances and demanding clients. This focus has pushed the craftsmanship to incredible heights —which indirectly benefits Roper boot aficionados like you and me.
While it’s easy to talk about Paul Newman and the brand, the thing I don’t want to overlook is just how wonderful these boots are. People who know good things will appreciate the exquisite craftsmanship here. The simple, clean lines are worth noting. Often, the simplest thing is the hardest to do. These boots, dare I say, are perfect. Just a great last shape. Beautiful detail work. Lovely shaded and refined leather.
Write about how things get made long enough, and the factory visits pile up. Eventually, they form a picture in your mind. It’s a mosaic of workshops, production lines, and craft. Take the elevator upstairs to Vogel's workshop and I was delighted to see something impressive and new. In a relatively nondescript building on 39th Street in Manhattan’s garment district is a unique artisan workshop that is known only to people who want something special— something truly bespoke. This is a place for people who obsess over the details. With its small but highly skilled craftspeople, Vogel handcrafts impressive boots for people who want something special or are after the best. Paul Newman, a true American style icon, seems to have had a good eye for boots.
A short walk around the NYC Vogel workshop. It’s not a loud place, with most work being done painstakingly by hand. The skill level is impressive and the detail required for custom boots is certainly a lost art. It was amazing to see everything from the exotic skins to the bespoke boot options. That word bespoke is thrown around a lot these days, but it’s nice to see a company living up to the true meaning in spirit and execution.
The Paul Newman Roper Boots are available by appointment at Vogel NYC. A portion of the proceeds from the Roper boots benefits the Paul Newman Foundation.
I’ll be in NY soon. And I firmly believe that more great boots are far better than fewer.