.
What is your first memory on shoes?
Most of my family members worked with leather, so it was not a question that I’ll choose a similar profession. I had leather shoes since high school, but of course not sewn ones.
You starded the first company in the 80s. How hard was to be a shoemaker in a Communist country?
It wasn’t difficult in the beginning, because we started to produce shoes that were in short supply. Back then in spite of the high demand, people couldn’t get unique shoes, just the mass produced ones.
How would you define your shoe style in a few words?
Classic-elegant but I always try to make something new and unique.
Did you have a Menthor?
I started my own business pretty soon, 5 years after obtaining my degree. Until that moment I worked as a shoe-industrial technologist in a factory, so I didn’t have the opportunity to work with real shoemaking masters. I presume I was my own Menthor.
What was the most extravagant shoe that a client has ever ordered?
A Pink salmon shoes with V shaped nose.
Tell me more about the different shoe options that a Gentleman can choose from at Rozsnyai?
In addition to unique models customers can find Oxfords or Derby style with traditional decoration, in semi-brogue or full-brogue. Instead of the usual calf and buffalo leathers our shoes can be made of exotic leathers like shark, stingray, snake, crocodile, iguana, elephant, ostrich and Cordovan.
Besides classic hand-made shoes the company makes ortopedic and bespoke shoes, riding boots, golf shoes and costume shoes for theaters. The customer can pick every detail on the shoes, like the color of the upper, leather type, sole design, sewing type, colors of the stitches, shape of nose and so on.
What shoe style do you prefer the most?
Classic Oxford with decoration.
The key elements of a good men’s shoe would be…
The shoes should be comfortable, made from the best leather and last but not least they need to look impressive.
What are your favorite Budapest places to spend your evenings?
At home with my family.
What is your favorite word?
Perfect – from the customers’ mouth.
What is your least favorite word?
Impossible.
What turns you on (creatively, spiritually or emotionally)?
Walking in the workshop, in the leather storage, smelling the scent of the leather.
What turns you off?
Silence and any mild, spiritual music
What is your favorite curse word?
I’m not really that swearing type.
What sound or noise do you love?
The bird twittering, it’s very soothing.
What sound or noise do you hate?
Disco music!
What profession would you not like to do?
I should never want to be a politician.
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Go back Sandor and make a pair of your godlike shoes for me!
Online distributors of R ozsnyai Shoes – www.sourceculture.co.uk
