Alden Shoe Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Apparel |
| Founded | 1884 |
| Founder | Charles H. Alden |
| Headquarters | Middleborough, Massachusetts |
| Website | www |
The Alden Shoe Company is an American shoe company founded in 1884 by Charles H. Alden in Middleborough, Massachusetts.[1] Alden specializes in handcrafted men's leather boots and dress shoes, such as Oxfords, Blüchers, loafers, and Chukka boots.
History
[edit]In the 19th century, there were once hundreds of shoemakers in New England, but now Alden is one of only a few factories. Alden is considered a heritage, family-owned brand.[1][2] Many of the company's roughly 100 workers at its factory in Middleborough are second or third generation,[1] and it sources its leathers mostly from small tanneries in Europe and the U.S. – its shell cordovan comes from the last such tannery in America, Horween Leather Company.[2] Alden has used Horween as their leather supplier since 1930, and is their largest cordovan customer.[3][4][5]
In 2021, former CFO Richard Hajjar pled guilty to embezzlement of over $30 million from the company of which some $17 million he had transferred to business run by his partner Bianca de la Garza.[6]
Commercial resilience
[edit]Along with other brands of Americana,[7] Alden has experienced something of a resurgence in 21st century men's fashion.[8] Despite a recession in the late-2000s and the relatively high prices of their products, Alden has grown again because of a renewed interest in more traditional men's shoes and boots, which can last decades.[1] It is this reliance on high-end shoes, especially by those interested in business attire, that has allowed the company to avoid going under despite the decline of American shoe manufacturing.
In popular culture
[edit]Alden model 405 is commonly referred to as the "Indy boot" because they were worn by Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones.[9][10]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "At Their Feet, Crafted by Hand". The New York Times. April 20, 2011.
- ^ a b "All-American Team". Forbes. September 15, 2008.
- ^ "A Brief History « Horween Leather Company". Horween.com. Archived from the original on July 5, 2013. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
- ^ Horween Leather Company. encyclopedia.com. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
- ^ "Horween's leather bound by tradition". Chicago Tribune. October 27, 2003. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
- ^ Voss, Gretchen (June 13, 2021). "The Man Who Fell to Earth". Boston Magazine.
- ^ "Authentic Americana". Newsweek. January 31, 2009.
- ^ "A Belt, a Brief, and a Man's Heart Skips a Beat". The New York Times. September 9, 2009.
- ^ "The Boots of Indiana Jones". indygear.com. Retrieved May 8, 2011.
- ^ Alden Indy boot toddsnyder.com
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