Bringing Craftsmanship Back: The Art of Bespoke Shoemaking at Old House Provisions

In a world where career paths often seem linear, Drew Altizer’s journey is a refreshing reminder that passions can emerge from the most unexpected places. As the founder of Old House Provisions, a menswear store in Alexandria specializing in bespoke shoemaking, Drew's transition from data analyst to artisan craftsman is as unique as the shoes he creates.

“I was never really into fashion or shoes growing up,” Drew admits with a laugh. “It’s probably a little weird that this is my job now.”

Photos: Misha Enriquez, Visit Alexandria

Before venturing into the world of bespoke craftsmanship, Drew worked as a consultant and data analyst in Boston and later Washington, DC. However, the pace of his work began to slow dramatically in his final years, leaving him unfulfilled.

It was during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, confined to his apartment, that Drew stumbled upon an unexpected passion. “I went down this YouTube rabbit hole of shoemaking videos,” he recalls. “I don’t know why—it was just one of those things that happens. Sitting in my apartment, sleeping two feet from where I spent the rest of my day, I kind of went crazy. I needed to do something, and for some reason, it was making shoes.”

What began as a hobby soon transformed into a business idea. “It’s an expensive hobby, but surprisingly, it’s not a very expensive business to start—at least not at first,” Drew explains. However, building the skills and knowledge to craft bespoke shoes proved to be a challenge. “There’s really no industry in the U.S. to support individual craft shoemakers,” he notes. “I had to go overseas to train because there just weren’t enough opportunities here.”

Training Overseas

Drew’s journey into shoemaking has been shaped by extensive overseas training, beginning with a transformative 10-week program at a shoemaking school in Florence, Italy. Run by the late Stefano Bemer, the school is one of the few that teaches traditional bespoke shoemaking to English speakers. “It’s one of the only English-speaking schools for traditional hand-stitched bespoke shoes. It was an amazing experience. I got to live in Florence for ten weeks and make shoes every day.”

“We’d work all day, then go to the same little sandwich shop for lunch—turkey and artichoke every day.”

After Florence, Drew expanded his shoemaking knowledge with a brief but impactful two-week trip to Japan. This training, more informal, was with a shoemaker who operated from his home in a rural area north of Tokyo. Drew had reached out to him through Instagram and was invited to train. This experience further deepened Drew’s understanding of the craft, while also introducing him to Japan's unique shoemaking culture. Drew emphasizes that Japan, like Italy, has a rich tradition of artisan shoemaking, with specialized tools and techniques that are hard to find elsewhere—especially in the U.S.

The Craft of Shoemaking

Clients can choose from an array of options, from leather types and colors to finer design details. Yet Drew’s style naturally filters the type of inquiries he receives. “I focus on classic English-style dress shoes—leather soles, timeless aesthetics. If someone wanted knee-high pink lizard button boots, they’d probably look elsewhere,” he says laughing.

Sourcing materials adds another layer of complexity. “Most of the leather I use, especially calfskin for dress shoes, comes from France or Germany. The U.S. has a few tanneries, but they specialize more in boot leather than fine calfskin,” Drew explains. Tools and materials for bespoke shoemaking are also scarce in the U.S. “In Tokyo, there are entire neighborhoods filled with shops for every stage of shoemaking, but here, there’s almost nothing.”

Drew’s shoemaking process is a meticulous craft. From creating the leather upper to assembling the insole, outsole, and heel, each pair involves countless steps. “People think it’s just stitching a few pieces of leather together, but there’s so much hand-stitching involved, like welting, which connects the sole to the upper through a rib structure. It’s incredibly detailed,” he explains.

Shoemaking is an art steeped in history, with styles often reflecting the regions where they originated. However, distinguishing these subtle nuances isn’t always straightforward. "If you lined up shoes from Japan, Florence, and England on a table, you'd notice the differences," Drew points out. "Italian shoes might have sharper lines, French shoes could have more exaggerated edges, and English shoes are often rounder with softer contours. Japanese shoes, on the other hand, reflect the training of their makers, many of whom studied in the UK."

For handmade, hand-welted shoes, the distinctions become even more nuanced. "English factory-made shoes are almost always Goodyear-welted, making them bulkier. Italian shoes, while also Goodyear-welted, tend to be lighter, often using Blake stitching,” Drew explains. “When people think of Italian shoes, they picture something like a slipper with a small sole glued on. But bespoke shoes are a different world altogether."

Old House Provisions

“The shop isn’t just about selling shoes,” Drew emphasizes. “It’s about educating people on the value of bespoke craftsmanship.”

One of Drew’s long-term goals is to share his passion for shoemaking with others. He hopes to expand his craft by hiring apprentices and training them in the art of bespoke shoes. "I really want to teach more people about why bespoke shoes are unique and get more people interested in shoemaking," he says.

In addition to his bespoke shoes, Drew's store also features men’s clothing from artisanal U.S. industries, including a small-batch Western shirt brand from San Antonio. Drew values the craftsmanship and passion behind these products. “It's still something that people can appreciate—how it was made and where it was made,” he says. This philosophy aligns with his commitment to celebrating the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into all carefully crafted products.

Old House Provisions, 315A Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Current Store Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 12pm-6pm (closed Sunday and Monday).

SEE ALSO: Mulberry Lane Play Café: A New Haven for Parents and Kids in Del Ray