Some things just go together. And there is no surer harbinger of the arrival of summer in Provence for me than rosé in my glass and espadrilles on my feet. This is how it has been since 2005, when we finally took the plunge south away from the grey of Paris and I have never thought twice about it.
That is, save for earlier this year when I realized that one of my regular sources for espadrilles had changed purveyors and were now offering goods that were made in Bangladesh. Of course, this made me wince for several reasons. But then I thought of a little shop that had opened in the rue Jouvene last year.
Jute. I had first heard about them from my then neighbor, the charming Alex of La Cuisine du Comptoir, who was sporting a smart pair in a suede midnight blue.
But every time that I passed by the tiny boutique, I either didn’t have the cash (for they don’t take credit cards) or it was swarmed with customers.
All too soon, I could recognize their certain style on the best dressed young things around town.
As winter rolled in, I regretted deeply not having bought a pair for myself. Would the store reopen in the spring?
Happily, Ian and Elena, the Britannic-Spanish couple behind the company were back with the arrival of the almond blossoms and I knew that my time had come to invest wisely. After all, I wear them every single day, weather permitting!
It was Ian who was in the boutique and he graciously explained to Remi and I the different sewing techniques and use of materials. As soon as I tried on one of their desert boots in tan suede, I knew that this was a whole other kit-n-caboodle than the stiff rascals that can be bought on market day. For my second pair, Remi pushed me towards a lime green slipper cut. That each pair is handmade was obvious in that the first that I tried weren’t right and yet the second were perfect. Ian explained that each of the small team of sewers that work for them in Spain have a slightly different stitch, hence the variable. I loved imagining someone not so very far away was taking such care to keep one tradition a part of our everyday living history. And a walking one too. How far will my Jute espadrilles take me? Only time will tell. And certainly, before then, I will be back for more…
Jute
Magasin des Espadrilles
rue Jouvene near the corner of rue Tour du Fabre
13200 Arles
www.jute-arles.com
Their website will be operational in September and yes, they speak English.
Until then, feel free to contact ju********@***il.com
Prices: roughly between 25€ for a basic canvas pair to 50€ for suede and 60€ for the amazing toile print above.
All well worth it…
PS. I am sorry for the quality of the photos but I still haven’t found my battery charger for my camera since the move! Hopefully soon…
Love the toile print and the black with flower espadrilles. I will try and visit the store when in Arles in September.
Thanks for the heads up Heather. ox, Gina
The shoes! Reason enough to move to the area! Thanks for sharing.
First of all happy belated birthday – it only gets better!
Lovely pics, I will add this magazine to the places I will visit in September.
Those look fabulous!! I want a few pair!
Those are the cutest things I have seen in a long while. I've missed some of your recent posts. Summer keeps distracting me with outdoor stuff 🙂
OOOPS..I have been pinning..so sorry, I just read your message. Added the shoes and some of your previous photos for colour reference for Tahilla Farm..I always love your colour schemes. Please let me know if you prefer I remove them..happy to do so. xx
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!
Just tried the website as written and it re-directs to GoDaddy.
The quality of the photos is good enough to make me want a pair!
Wow, I want those desert boots! But I know when shoes are handmade, trying them on is a must. Ah well, I'll just have to enjoy them vicariously through you.