13 November 2013

Arturo - My Amazing Shoe Doctor! (A review)

It took me a long while to take this leap of commitment in buying the ultimate shoes, the dream red soles of all woman, Christian Louboutin.  So much thoughts went into the process of choosing the style, color and size but at the end I settled in for a pair of Bruges 120 in black.




Why Bruges 120?  Well, the shape of the shoes in general appealed  to me and the fact that the heels were not too skinny or too thick also played an important role not to mention the platforms that support the 120 heels, but above all the toe box of this style was the final deal sealer - rounded, roomy and comfortable enough even on my bunion!    

The only problem I faced in buying this shoes was the size. Now, Bruges is known to be true to size and a 37 girl like me should be fine with 37 but because of my bunion on the right foot, I was in between 37 and 37.5. I thought better big than small and went with 37.5 and they were slipping off my feet as I walked. I had to take them to see the shoe doctor, Arturo.


Arturo is the owner and genius behind Arturo's Shoe Fixx in Beverly Hills (on Santa Monica Blvd, between North Rodeo Dr and Wilshire Blvd) It is just a simple shop amid all the posh looking shops and restaurants in that area, you can easily missed it. I found out about this place while researching for a good cobbler that has good experience with Louboutin and since I was in Beverly Hills for a week last month, I took the opportunity to take my Bruges in for a fix.  



Arturo, in his late 80s attended to me and he was just sweet.  I told him my problem and he gave me a few options on how to go about it.  After a further discussion and him telling me his opinion, we decided to go with the additional leather inserts. Basically what he did was to add a piece of leather at the back of the heel area of the shoe to fill in the gap. I was asked to come back for a shoe fitting ( now, that's a first!) before he sealed the leather final.  The final results was amazing!  He even colored the top leather black (the color of the shoes) to hide the tell tale of the fix!  I also had him covered the front part of the red sole with red 'vibram' to protect the red color, (very popular among CL shoe lovers) no ugly peeling or discoloration with use and it also double up as anti slip.  All that services for $60, a bit pricey but it is worth every single cent considering my shoes just got fixed by the best shoe doctor in Beverly Hills! 

The leather insert and colored top bit

An example of worn discolored CL soles. Image source

Vibram added as anti slip and also to avoid ugly red color peeling known on CL soles

The vibram was placed beautifully no tell tale or anything seen!

I was thrill with the result and would recommend Arturo for shoe fixing, any shoes for that matter.  He also does handbag fixing and his customers come from all walks of life with all types of shoes.  I know the area could be a bit intimidating but once inside his store you'll realize that it is after all a typical cobbler with a friendly old man that is good at what he's doing, like the best plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills!

23 comments:

  1. Mrs C - well done! My cobbler must be your cobbler's brother ;-) Same age, same skills, same price but definitely worth the money! Here in Germany you hardly find Arturos any longer but cheap fixes in shopping malls only...
    Your Louboutins are classy and stunning!!

    Annette | Lady of Style

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Over here in Dubai all we can find is also some minute cobblers, so I have to make a point to bring my shoes in some other continent for a fix. Italy still have many cobblers like Arturo and yours, fortunately for the Italians!

      Delete
  2. Oh, they look fabulous! I just took some new shoes in (not CL's) for the "half sole" treatment. It really DOES extend the life and wear of the shoes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aaahh.. how lucky! Arturo should be just around your corner!

      Delete
  3. Fabulous job! Arturo is the shoe magician... love the outcome!
    Kisses from Miami,
    Borka
    www.chicfashionworld.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for sharing my friend! I will definitely keep Arturo in mind! I say your red soles were a great investment...and you so deserved them! P.S. I have wide feet and a bunion....so buying narrow shoes like CL....always a problem! Great to know that there is a solution when I need to size up:)!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hello dear,

    I would be very glad if you visited my blog and follow me if you like it. Just let me know so that I can follow back...

    Thank you
    Chadlen
    http://chezmoibychadlen.blogspot.gr/

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi there! Wow what an amazing job he has done on your shoes, so worth the money and very professional looking too xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your CLs are gorgeous and I'm so glad that he fixed them so they were just right!

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have four pairs that need this DOCTOR STAT! I hate when the red goes bye bye! ugh. Love yours...so classic and timeless!
    Been forever since i have stopped by...hope you are well...
    C

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for dropping by! Hope you and the baby are well :)

      Delete
  9. oh the shoes are so elegant!♥ love them!:)

    www.lorietta.cz

    ReplyDelete
  10. thats amazing how you found the perfect shoe doctor. love the shoes too!

    lifeisashoe.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow that's amazing! Beautiful, classy and classic shoes. I adore the red soles so much, really want red sole shoes!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow, you made such a wonderful investment! They are a timeless style that will look amazing with so many outfits! Very smart to get the soles protected too on such a nice shoe :)

    ~Jacy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Jacy.. this could be my one and only pair of red sole and I planned to extend their life-span the longest possible!

      Delete
  13. Oh...those shoes! One day I'd love to have a pair of Louboutin's and those are perfect!
    Debbie
    www.fashionfairydust.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Many women have no idea how to maintain a pair of shoes. You are not one of those. I am pretty much best friends with my cobbler.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think once you found a good one, you stick to him, sort of lie a good hairdresser ;) Thanks for dropping by Megan!

      Delete
  15. I love the model you have seleceted, very classical I'm sure they be always in.
    Shoe doctor is an important person in life of any women:) I still haven't found the one in the city I live in so I sometimes take them to another city. Crazy right:)?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not at all! Arturo is in Beverly Hills, that's half way across the world from me!

      Delete
  16. This was very informative. I have a very good shoe cobbler (won European awards) and I will show him this solution. So much better than a stick-on piece at the back which you always tred away. I cannot quite see how the top of the heel looks like on your foot, but I suppose it looks good. Magnificant shoe by the way.
    Greetje

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Greetje, they are very discreet especially when colored in black. I think this method works best for half an inch.. anything more would be too obvious in my opinion :)

      Delete

Say your thoughts!