Location

Japan

Founded

2011

Price range

¥450,000 – ¥495,000

Shipping

Worldwide

Marquess Shoemaker Brand Logo

Marquess Shoemaker

Independent brand — verified
About

Marquess is a bespoke shoemaking atelier established in Tokyo in 2011 by Shoji Kawaguchi. His interest in British footwear took him to Northampton, where he studied shoemaking, and later to training with bespoke maker Paul Wilson. Kawaguchi returned to Japan in 2008 and opened Marquess three years later. The atelier moved to Ginza in 2017. Marquess is known for understated leather shoes whose shape, fit and finishing receive close attention. A bespoke order starts with a meeting and foot measurements. The team makes a wooden last for the client, tests the fit with a trial shoe and adjusts the last before making the final pair by hand. The website shows Oxfords, derbies and other designs for men, as well as examples of women’s shoes. The atelier also offers made-to-order styles, where customers choose from existing models and select details such as leather and sole type. Bespoke enquiries require an appointment. Marquess is most relevant to shoppers seeking a personal fitting process and classic shoes they intend to maintain and wear for years.

Brand Details

In-house (handmade)
Japan
Last reviewed
Sep 2026
Independent brand
Verified
S
Shoji Kawaguchi

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Frequently asked questions

Who founded Marquess, and when did the atelier open?
Shoji Kawaguchi founded Marquess in Tokyo in 2011. Before establishing the brand, he trained in England and worked with craftspeople connected to leading British bespoke shoemakers, including Gaziano & Girling.
What footwear services does Marquess offer?
Marquess offers fully bespoke and made-to-order shoes. Both services focus on understated, classically influenced designs, precise fitting and footwear intended to improve in character through long-term wear and careful maintenance.
How are Marquess bespoke shoes created?
The process includes measuring the client, carving an individual wooden last, producing a trial shoe, conducting a fitting and adjusting the last. The final shoes and matching shoe trees are then completed by hand.
How does Marquess made-to-order differ from bespoke?
Made-to-order clients are fitted using existing sample shoes and choose a model, leather, stitching and sole. Bespoke customers receive individually carved lasts, unique patterns, trial shoes and a more extensively personalized fit.
What materials can customers select at Marquess?
Options shown by the atelier include calfskin, suede, nubuck, pigskin, patent leather, hatch-grain calf and selected exotic leathers. Availability depends on the chosen model, order service and current material stock.
Does Marquess provide repairs and maintenance?
Yes. Marquess offers services such as resoling, heel replacement and upper repair. The atelier also recommends regular cleaning and conditioning so the leather remains nourished and the shoes can be worn for many years.

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