BROTHER VELLIES FOOTWEAR BRAND.

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Brother Vellies x Mickalene Thomas, another pair from our recent collaboration!

Velskoen, pronounced "fell-skoon" and known colloquially as "vellies," are the ancestor of the modern-day desert boot. Vellies were first made in the 1600s, inspired by the footwear of the Khoikhoi tribe and crafted using raw materials. Later, our vellies were adapted by British travellers, packaged and renamed to be what we now know as desert boots.

Our velskoen are made in the coastal town of Swakopmund, Namibia. There, a small group of eight Damara gentlemen assemble every shoe by hand, turning out just 20 pairs an afternoon.
Our vellies are made of vegetable-dyed Kudu leather. The Namibian government mandates the culling of these large native antelope to control their population. Kudu skin yields amazingly durable leather and suede that ages exceptionally well. Because these hides are taken from wild animals they often show scars or other "imperfections" that domesticated hides do not.
Brother Vellies are handmade in Swakopmund, Namibia.
There, eight gentleman make 20 pairs each day.
Individually crafted from wild kudu leather, each shoe is one of a kind and made to last.
The Erongo consists of two cuts of skin: the Hakkie, and the front which are sewn together.
No nails are used in the process.
A simple sole is added in the end.
The shoes are then finished by hand, using a knife to perfect the outer texture of the leather.