What could a pair of vertiginous designer heels worn by the uber-glamorous Kathryn Thomas and a set of sensible, lace-up, leather brogues sported by genial thespian Alan Stanford possibly have in common? The answer is that they will undoubtedly have passed through the highly skilled hands of Isaac Jackman, proprietor of CD Shoes Ltd at some stage.
Jackman has an infectious enthusiasm for his craft and demonstrates a true devotion to continuing the business established by his father, Seán, more than 60 years ago. Jackman senior started out as an apprentice shoemaker on Charlemont Street in Dublin, the very street where his son Isaac is keeping alive the skills he began learning at his father’s side when he entered the business 20 years ago. Now he is also passing on the craft required to repair shoes by training his two apprentices to the exacting standards required.
Though based on age-old craftsmanship, the business is far from static and Jackman devotes a considerable amount of time to ensuring that he keeps abreast of developments in shoe design. “I read magazines, watch fashion shows and discuss new colours and styles with retailers and suppliers, so I can stock the materials required for what will inevitably come through the door,” says Jackman. High-end or “red-carpet shoes”, as Jackman calls them, should be treated as an investment purchase requiring the kind of loving maintenance that an enthusiast might lavish on a classic car – Jackman’s other passion, as it happens. Brown Thomas routinely recommends him to customers purchasing Jimmy Choos, Christian Louboutins (yes, he stocks the trademark red leather), Manolo Blahniks and other fashionable brands. “It’s a matter of building a relationship based on trust with each customer,” says Jackman, thus explaining why days off have been few and far between in the 10 years since he took over the running of the company. His wife Gráinne is very understanding and has long appreciated his passion for shoes. “We met over a pair,” laughs Jackman. “She was sitting opposite me at a party when I pointed out the hole in the sole of her shoe.”
CD stands for Crumlin and Drimnagh, the location of Seán’s first shops, but could just as easily denote the craftsmanship and dedication demonstrated by two generations of the Jackman family. CD Shoes, 41 Charlemont Street, Dublin 2. www.cdshoes.ie, 01-4754832.
Eleanor Fitzsimons