4 Feb 2012

Dr Martens - Made in England Factory Tour


Facebook's came up trumps with this one, Dr Martens posted an album of exquisite photos from a recent visit to their Cobb Lane factory in Northamptonshire. I've just had a gander on their website and it seems like these images can only be seen via their Facebook page, so I thought I'd share them with you guys. The shoes featured in these shots are of course a part of their Made in England range. They're more expensive that the regular range but worth every extra penny, your feet will thank you for it.

I love the idea of step-by-step documentation of how products are made but I think footwear is one of the most exciting subjects(I did see briefly how iPods were made which was quite incredible too). So I'm sitting here one this gloomy frost-ridden Saturday afternoon, with a freshly brewed cup of Pigteas' Breakfast Tea, thinking of the day that I might be able to visit one of the many factories in Northamptonshire. Enjoy.

For more into of the Made in England range nip over here & images from here

*Update on my "Made in.... series, I'm waiting for a sunny day to take some photos, all my days off have been super gloomy over the past two weeks. Hopefully I'll have part 2 up on Friday.

29 comments:

  1. These are nice photos. And a fascinating insight into the production process of these iconic shoes. Bet it'd be a right laugh working there too

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  2. Anonymous15:58

    These are certainly some interesting photographs, I enjoy seeing how things are made. I was a massive fan of 'Come outside' in the early 90's, I must have been about 4 years old and I remember the programme featured how wellington boots were made for one of the main adventures of the characters. It was seriously cool stuff!

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  3. I think it's worth paying a bit extra to get things that are made in this country (goes for food too), just to decrease air miles. I know that Mulberry make their products here too. It's so weird to see all the DMs without soles!

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  4. I have to fess up and say that I never actually owned a pair of Dr Martens! I know, I know, I know. Shame on me!

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  5. It must be preety cool to go to dr martens factory and see how the docs are made! I used to work on a shoe factory and it´s insane to see the line of production... but his must be on another dimension!!!

    xx

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  6. Oh, I still need a pair of Dr. Martens... but still haven't really found my 'dream-pair'. I love seeing how shoes are made, or indeed...how things are made.

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  7. Very cool! I love seeing how things are made. :)

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  8. it's such a magic how shoes are made. my great grandfather was a shoemaker and so are most of the people here in my city. it's just sad how the industry has declined here.

    nouveauskin.blogspot.com

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  9. excellent post! The photos are awesome and I love shoe factory tours. They seem to be the most appealing to me because they often don't get a lot of exposure such as car manufactures and others. It's also interesting to see all the work that goes on to make not just one, but two shoes. It makes you not mind buying an expensive pair after seeing the craft and skill you need.

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  10. So awesome! I'd love to visit the workshop.

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  11. What amazing photos - it's so interesting to see what's on the inside and what goes to making our most iconic brands what they are!

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  12. There is something weirdly gripping about factory shots. I'd love some English DMs - extra special. Struggling slightly to find a place in my working wardrobe for my existing DMs though... They haven't seen much love recently.

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  13. wow, that's so cool.

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  14. Great series of shots, you are right it is nice to see the process. Re your comment - my husband said exactly the same thing. Xxxx

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  15. So cool to see how these shoes are made! :D

    xo

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  16. It's great to see the many steps it takes to produce a good product - also love the many tattooed arms at work.

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  17. Anonymous23:25

    I saw these, such beautiful pictures - definitely worth every penny x

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  18. wow, how awesome! i love visiting factories. i remembered going to plastic, soda bottles and packaging factories with the school. was so fascinating! i so want to go that particular factory...

    doc martens rock. really need to buy one.

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  19. I find the creative process as or more enthralling than the final product. It's wonderful to see the attention to detail in creating quality items.

    I scrolled through your blog and thought that anatomy toy so fascinating and wonderfully quirky!

    www.thefoolishaesthete.blogspot.com

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  20. well this is just cool. I love seeing how things are made. Also, I'm obsessed with the "made in" lately too. My mom gave me some little espresso cups that have a cool "made in china" stamp on them.

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  21. I count myself lucky for having been able to see this in person, it is incredible to watch the boots and shoes being made. I rather wish they were all still made in the UK, I have a pair of old Docs that I got as brand new deadstock a while back, and they beat the newer ones I have on every front.

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  22. Those pics are great, this is such a nice post ! I like Dr Martens, they're always trendy, always loved by people...and it's great to see how they are really made !

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  23. Hey Matt, Re your comment it didnt look like this in person it was the street lights that gave it this colouring through the lens. Like shooting indoors with the light on will give you this warm colour tone. So it purely the effect of light pollution and the snow reflecting the light that at other times we are blissfully unaware of. Xxxx

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  24. this looks amazing, what an incredible experience! lucky you :) xx

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  25. I love my collection of docs, so it's beautiful to see how they're made. I can see why they last a long time!

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  26. I'd love to go to the Hindu Kush! Sounds interesting. I'll add it to my looong To Read list.

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  27. So you have a pair of the Made In England shoes? Do they feel better quality? I only got my first pair of DMs this year but I was really impressed by how comfortable they have become and how well they've stood up to daily use/shit weather. Although it did take quite a long time to break them in :( --> many blisters

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  28. this is a interesting post.

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  29. this makes me want to own a pair.

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