Ballroom Dancing Shoes
His flamenco shoes for men are hot looking oxfords and boots. But instead of conventional taps on the toes and heels, there are dozens of tiny silver nails creating a glittering mosaic.
Because of the large Irish population near his London store, Walton was making what the Irish call "jig shoes" long before the popularity of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. These are oxfords set on about a 1-inch heel, but with a curved piece of formica placed under the toe (instead of taps). "They makes a special clicking sound," Walton notes, that is identified with Irish dancing.
Ballroom dancing shoes, which Brown makes for both the dance floor and "with a walking-out sole." Brown is also known for doing off-beat jobs, such as making "a hundred Greek sandals for pantomime."
Steeped in his dance business, a sadness comes into his eyes as he talks about the sudden death in April of his son Richard. "I should mention him," he says with a sidelong glance at his son Kirk. "He was my major helper. He devoted 16 years of his life to the company. I needed help and taught him...he was very good." And, he adds, "that's why I'm wearing a black shirt."
Ballroom Dancing Shoes Values
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As we finish talking, Kirk gets up and says he's on his way to class at Brooklyn College where he is majoring in History (he plans to be a teacher). Ferguson settles himself behind the counter to await customers and dancers who might come in to check the bulletin board headlined "Casting Calls," which lists job opportunities.
At that point, Walton Brown gets ready to head back to the factory, while he ponders thoughts about opening a shop in Manhattan and ways to equal -- and then better -- the business he left behind.
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