The School of Life has a knack for coming up with inventive new products. Their latest, a collaboration with master shoe-makers Oliver Sweeney, is aptly named the Philosopher’s Shoe (and not just because it is, indeed, a shoe). The inspiration comes variously from Albert Camus’ L’Etranger (“Just walk beside me and be my friend”) and Thales, a Greek philosopher (who fell into a well because he was looking at the night sky). How so? Embossed on the side of the soul is the quote “HEAD IN THE STARS FEET ON THE GROUND”: the idea being that we should be grounded, but remember to dream. The shoes, crafted in Italy, are made with calf from the reputed Carli tannery, with calf leather lining, rubber sole, and wingtip brogue detailing.
£179; theschooloflife.com/shop