Adieu Men

Inspired by British punk rock and fascinated by Teddy Boy creepers worn in the '50s, Isabelle Guédon and Benjamin Caron set up the Adieu shoe label in 2011. Friends since the age of 13, the designers grew up together in the Vendée before moving away for their studies. Benjamin Caron followed a shoemaking apprenticeship at AFPIC in Cholet before becoming a trainee under Michel Delaunay, designing and then producing prototypes for Hermès, Kenzo and Christian Dior. Isabelle Guédon trained at the École des Arts Décoratifs and achieved her dream of working for Lacroix for some time, before attracting the attention of designer Alber Elbaz, who was then working for Guy Laroche. She became his assistant and helped him in making his artistic decisions. In 1999, Benjamin Caron and Isabelle Guédon teamed up for the first time and launched their Deuce brand - happening somewhat by chance. One uneventful day, they produced a little pouch for backgammon using leather offcuts. Against all odds, their success gained global recognition: Donna Karan, who at the time was launching a lifestyle store, bought all their stock and prompted the brand's recognition. From that point on, the label expanded its business and began to specialise in leather furniture.
Few years later, not finding shoes they liked, the pair designed some themselves. What's so unique about these luxury shoes, whose name is inspired by a Mallarmé poem? The signature wide crepe sole, specially designed by and for Adieu. Derbies, creepers and boots made of waxed leather are then raised with a 3mm sole with a layer of micro-cellular foam, generally used in trainers. Thanks to this unique technique, they are flexible, comfortable and light to wear. A stunning feature to these original designs.