Stridewise.com Expert | Managing Director, Crown Northampton Shoes
Expertise: shoemaking, cordwaining, shoe construction, leather sneakers, leather
Chris Woodford is the founder and Managing Director of Crown Northampton Shoes, broadly considered to be among the world’s most premium sneaker brands.
Shoemaking and cobbling have been in Chris’s family for over a century since his great-great-great-grandfather set up his first business, Woodford and Sons, in 1908. He has proudly continued his family’s tradition and business of shoe-making and brought it into the 21st century.
Chris is extremely skilled in all areas of shoemaking from their design to their lasting, and worked in all areas of his father’s factory while obtaining formal qualifications at college and then later helping run the business with him.
His ancestor-instilled passion for quality handmade shoes led him to create his own brand and shoe range called Crown Northampton. Crown Northampton is a blend of the traditional cobbling techniques as used by his forefathers with the cutting edge trends and fashions of today. This heritage brand is a beacon of high-quality shoemaking with the use of skilled cobblers and the best materials, including some more exotic ones, depending on the customer’s tastes.
Chris Woodford’s Featured Articles:
How to Make a $800 Sneaker | A Trip to Crown Northampton
Chris explains how his company makes their luxury $800 leather sneakers. Learn more →
