From Pain to Freedom

For people living with complex foot conditions, the search for comfortable, well-fitting shoes can be lifelong. Pain, compromise and frustration often become part of everyday life and everyday movement. At Gilbert & Lisson, many of the most meaningful stories we encounter are not about shoes alone, but about the quiet transformation that happens when someone is finally able to walk with minimal or in the complete absence of pain.

Chris is one such customer.

Born with severe bilateral talipes, more commonly known as clubfoot, Chris has spent much of his life adapting to specially constructed footwear that never quite worked for him. Clubfoot is a condition in which essentially both feet are turned inward, affecting alignment, balance and long-term mobility. Despite multiple corrective surgical procedures from the age of four, Chris continued to experience discomfort well into mature adulthood. Chris is currently 76 years old.

“Over the years, I’ve had different types of shoes,” he explains, “but I never found a pair that was really comfortable. There was quite a lot of pain on that journey, so having shoes that genuinely help makes a huge difference.” That was 12 months ago.

Listening Before Crafting

At Gilbert & Lisson every bespoke project begins with listening. For customers with complex medical histories, this step is essential. Rather than asking customers to adapt to footwear, the footwear is adapted entirely around them.

In Chris’s case, this process began with a home visit, allowing the consultation to take place in a relaxed and familiar environment. Master Shoemaker Robert, a specialist in bespoke orthopaedic footwear, spent time understanding not only Chris’s feet, but his full experience to date regarding movement, pain and how the medical procedures had benefitted him.

“I always start by asking people to tell me everything,” Robert says. “Their history, their challenges and what they want from their shoes. Every detail matters.”

The customer conversation is recorded so nothing is missed, ensuring that every nuance feeds into the design and construction process and can be paused and repeated by the team internally within the workshop when discussing technicalities, approach, design and all aspects of customer bespoke design. For Chris, the requirements were clear but complex.

“I need structure for support,” he explains, “but the leather also has to be soft because of scar tissue. It’s a delicate balance. And I wanted them to look good. Smart. Not orthopaedic.” These are words we hear frequently. We know how to adapt and deliver the right outcome addressing these concerns.

A Collaborative, Hands-On Process

The assessment combined traditional craftsmanship with modern clinical techniques. Robert examined and gently tested Chris’s full range of motion and walking pattern, while connected remotely by video stream with other members of the G&L team, including the last-maker and orthotics specialist.

Using a combination of manual measurements, photography, video gait analysis, 3D imaging and foam impression moulds the team captured a complete picture of how Chris’s feet functioned in real life. These physical moulds would later be used to create bespoke orthotic insoles, tailored precisely to his anatomy. The insoles or orthotics as we call them would also fit perfectly into the new shoes being created for him.

This level of detail allows the team to address issues such as pressure distribution, alignment and stability, all while ensuring the final footwear remains elegant and wearable.

Footwear That Fits a Life, Not Just a Foot

A crucial part of the consultation focused on lifestyle. Bespoke footwear is not only about correcting mechanics. It must support how someone actually lives.

“I fly fish, walk around lakes, and,” Chris adds with a smile, “my wife would like me to do more dancing.”

Together, Robert and Chris discussed style, materials and design. Sketches were made, leather swatches selected and the vision refined. The aim was footwear that could support movement, protect vulnerable areas, and still look refined.

Before leaving, Robert explained the next steps: translating the consultation into design, crafting bespoke wooden lasts, and beginning the hand-making process back in our own Marylebone workshop.

The Moment That Matters

Following the initial fitting consultation where a couple of minor adjustments were made, Robert returned a third time with Chris’s finished shoes. For customers, this moment is often emotional. Years of discomfort come down to a few careful steps.

“I was nervous,” Chris admits. “I wanted it to work. But with the support of the whole team, I felt confident.”

As Chris placed his feet into the new footwear, and walked a few yards, something immediately felt different.

“You talked to me about the pitch of the shoe,” he told Robert. “I hadn’t realised how important that was. The pressure has gone from the front of my foot. I’m without pain. That’s a big thing. And they look good.”

For Gilbert & Lisson, this response captures the essence of bespoke orthopaedic footwear: solving complex biomechanical problems without compromising dignity or style.

“It’s the first time I’ve been with people who really get it,” Chris says. “That’s not easy to find.”

Medical Orthotic Consultations Now in the Algarve

Following our successful initial consultancy visit in October 2025, we are returning to Portugal to provide our full orthotic and footwear consultation service to residents of the Algarve.

Date: 9th-12th March 2026

Venue: Top suite, Hotel Quinta Jacintina, 8135-025 Almancil, Portugal

Book the consultation here.

Your appointment or consultation will cover (on a complimentary basis):

● Full biomechanical and electronic gait analysis (this will be recorded on video and discussed with you

● A personalised footwear and orthotic consultation

● Review of any particularly medical or foot concerns such as bunions, dropped arches, hammer toes, fused bones, diabetic ulcers, or imbalance

● Options for bespoke shoes, orthotic insoles, and long-term support

Given the demand, these visits will take place bi-monthly, offering customers in the Algarve the opportunity to benefit from continuous care without having to travel to London.

Limited private consultations available by appointment - click to book today!

For more information, please contact Gilbert & Lisson at +44 20 7486 4664 or info@gilbertandlisson.com.

Our address: 12 New Cavendish Street, London, W1G 8UN, United Kingdom