MISTER FREEDOM

[tmadd]

You guys are playing right into rnrswitch's game. I'm sure he's laughing at making you MFSC otaku get all riled up.

He was actually praising the boots' look, materials, etc... the only complaint he has is the price. I think it is absolutely constructive to talk about what these MFSC pieces really are when compared to offerings from other brands.

I think so too, and my issue is when it is all based on speculation, and glosses over some not insignificant details in a manner that seems super informed and provides the otherwise uninformed with a thesis that both neglects some of what is actually involved in the pieces and their development and lays a claim that there is some kind of weird brand based price inflation that apparently only happens at Mister Freedom. Constructive conversation is fantastic, but that is a far cry from the majority of rnrswitches contributions to this thread.

[LandoCal126]

Seriously, what's your issue rnrswitch?

You and people like you.

Oh thanks!

You guys are playing right into rnrswitch's game. I'm sure he's laughing at making you MFSC otaku get all riled up.

He was actually praising the boots' look, materials, etc... the only complaint he has is the price. I think it is absolutely constructive to talk about what these MFSC pieces really are when compared to offerings from other brands.

I agree with you that he was praising everything about the MF line, but I was only asking what his problem was due to the fact that he complains about the cost constantly. Just wondering why he would continue to ask questions about cost when he just doesn't seem to have any interest other than pointing out how ridiculous people who are who purchase the line. Seems odd...

[zissou]

I feel like it is someone's duty to snap some of y'all out of it.

Well, I don't think you are winning anyone over.

[bernielike]

Mr. Freedom thread is on fire today I love it.

I think those boots are worth the 950 more than my girlfriend's Manolo Blahniks or Jimmy Choos are worth 950. Sure RMS, you can get engineer boots of close quality for less. But these are custom, limited run, by an exclusive small designer. Wescojapan does special editions that cost 950-ish all the time. It's not uncommon or weird or overpriced. Plus people will buy them for that price so why not charge that much? Sounds smart to me. If I could make something and charge 950 for it I would make as many as I could. But Mr. Freedom prob won't do that tho. He'll just make the one run cause he loves them and then make something else. These boots and the clothes are about more than making cash, or else Cristophe would sell it all to Ralph Lauren right now and retire to Aruba. Or wherever super cool vintage clothing expert designers retire to.

Plus, have you been to Mr. Freedom in Hollywood? The place is huge and right on Beverly Blvd., the guy's rent must be through the roof I'm glad to support them. Plus Jared and Katherine are great. He's a class guy, and it's a great place worth the fandom it inspires in some people.

[rnrswitch]

Maybe if the warehouse wasn't on beverly blvd they could cut down on prices.

I don't think Jimmy Choos are worth shit. I do think these boots are more worth the price tag than a pair of designer shoes, but with Jimmy choos much of the price tag is the name and I think the MF stuff is moving that way as well.

I am bored.

[bernielike]

Well, exactly. Jimmy Choos are worth shit and MF boots are worth it, yo. It's a great company run by great people, and a great brand with quality stuff. Please explain how MF is "headed" toward being like Jimmy Choo. This oughta be good.

I'm not bored, I like reading this. You're getting people all riled up it's fun. A lot better than people debating what size clothes to get. Not that those topics can't be useful too

[Opie]

Just to piss in your pond:

http://www.chukai.ne.jp/~motos/leather-silver/item/item-top.html

[tmadd]

I'm all for pissing in people's pond but I can't for the life of me figure out what that link has to do with this thread other than having engineer boots on the site? Care to elaborate?

[Opie]

Care to elaborate?

Anything else wouldn't be right.

That's a pair of handcrafted engineer boots made by someone who's nothing less than a leather artisan.

A pair of top of the line and helluva expensive engineer boots (in cow or kip) and the price is just about 785 USD (640 for the kip version).

I'm just trying to add an perspective

[Tiro]

Anything else wouldn't be right.

That's a pair of handcrafted engineer boots made by someone who's nothing less than a leather artisan.

A pair of top of the line and helluva expensive engineer boots (in cow or kip) and the price is just about 785 USD (640 for the kip version).

I'm just trying to add an perspective

was thinking about this too, tho we can't really compare materials used etc. so maybe the price difference can be justified, but I still do believe that a part of the price you pay for MF is due to the brand name.

but we all have to admit, they certainly are not the only brand where this happens and that doesn't stop us from buying the other brands either.

that being said, if I could afford it, I would probably cop the boots (the toe looks less bubbly then on most engineers and I like that) and the mullholland coat, I can't see myself wearing anything else from the line without looking like I'm trying too hard.

but all the more power to those who can pull off the other pieces and are buying them because they really like them and can afford it, I say.

it is true tho, that sometimes when I read this thread, I feel like there is a huge hype about the brand and what they actually do gets kinda overshadowed by this hype atmosphere.

[Opie]

I really like most of the stuff mr. freedom put out btw.

I think that it's great that someone dares to really go full circle with their design AND their quality and i love their small collections even though i'm utterly pissed off that i never had the money to buy the foul weather coat when it was around.

That being said, this is a pair of engineer boots we are talking about. It has that extra strapon (god i'm good) top of the boot, but it isnt groundbreaking and the design really isn't all that amazing.

It doesn't really seem to go that extra mile which i usually expect from stuff coming out of the mr. freedom lab.

Now exscuse me while i go jerk of to a collection of 45rpm, kato, sugar cane and MOTO sites.

[blm14]

why oh why can't these fucking boots (moto in particular) be made in my fucking size!?

All the text on the moto site is in images so I cant translate it, but I see sizes "1,2,3" which makes me guess that 13EE is not included.

[akuma no uta]

Hahaha, if you called MF they could probably get a pair of their boots in your size...

[Opie]

why oh why can't these fucking boots (moto in particular) be made in my fucking size!?

All the text on the moto site is in images so I cant translate it, but I see sizes "1,2,3" which makes me guess that 13EE is not included.

In the category furthest down in the menu (the one written in japanese) has the sizes translated into cm. Doesn't look like it can satisfy your needs though.

[tmadd]

That's a pair of handcrafted engineer boots made by someone who's nothing less than a leather artisan.

A pair of top of the line and helluva expensive engineer boots (in cow or kip) and the price is just about 785 USD (640 for the kip version).

I'm just trying to add an perspective

Cool, I figured that was the idea, and I think it is some good perspective to have. It confirms the fact that yeah, the MF boots are pretty expensive, and there are similar/equal/slightly better (would have to look at them next to each other) made boots that can be had for cheaper(though I would be interested to know what MOTO would be charging for a pair of horsehide engineers). It also confirms that the difference between a pair of MOTO engineers and the MFs is small enough ($165) that it wouldn't make sense to just buy whichever boot you liked the fit and aesthetic of best...either is enough money that it better be exactly what you want.

was thinking about this too, tho we can't really compare materials used etc. so maybe the price difference can be justified, but I still do believe that a part of the price you pay for MF is due to the brand name.

but we all have to admit, they certainly are not the only brand where this happens and that doesn't stop us from buying the other brands either...

...it is true tho, that sometimes when I read this thread, I feel like there is a huge hype about the brand and what they actually do gets kinda overshadowed by this hype atmosphere.

I think the comparison of materials would only start to make the case that the price is in the correct ballpark, the leather for both the uppers and the sole is insane, and there are deadstock heels, and buckles. My argument is that at least in this case, the price has less to do with brand cache, and more to do with the process that was undergone to develop boots. Lots of prototypes, lots of testing and research on hides, and dying processes for the hides. Tons of fine tuning on small details like the shape of the toe and the dimensions of the shaft (of the boot). And then the final product that is taken to market is a run of less than 20 boots, made by a guy who does custom and bespoke work one by one. The level of quality on these alone is definitely what you would expect for 950 if you were having these custom done for you, the question is whether they fit your notion of perfect enough to pay what ends up being a custom price for a boot that is a finished product that you have no say in.

As to your last paragraph, yeah there is a lot of enthusiasm about the line in this thread, and sometimes I even get a little weirded out by it (even though I am certainly a participant in part of it myself). I think it is important to realize that a lot of this "hype" has more to do with a bunch of people geeking out on clothes that are pretty insane on a variety of levels, and less about them being some sort of "in" thing. I mean, a little hype here makes sense, it is the MF thread, on superfuture after all.

[edmond]

where the fuck is the picture of the boot you boys are talking about? show it to me and ill decide if its really nice when you guys see me buy it!

[jpsmith98]

edmond, you never cease to amaze.

read the fucking thread.

edit: resized with smaller image

[edmond]

but these fuckers are used.. can i see a brand new one???

i know im good at amazing people right?

[edmond]

those boots are great yeah i remember those.

but i would rather go with a wesco bosss or a custom viberg ( which i have) for the price tag its pretty intense but again if you can afford it and you like it why not but theres always the buco horsehide engineer boot or a custom wesco boss, viberg engineer out there where you can fit out better( customized)

just my shit dont hate me on this

xoxo,

ed

[Bigyen]

I seem to know no other kind of shot than in the dark...

If anyone knows where i can pick up a Liberty Issue CPO in a medium please PM me.

[beatle]

absolutely sold out...talked to Katherine a couple weeks ago about it...

[Bigyen]

figured. found a couple of L's on the interwebs, but that does my frame no good.

[TallyHo]

the one thing that's bumming me out the most about this boot discussion is everyone throwing around the words "custom" and "bespoke" when talking about them.

please correct me if i'm wrong, but these boots are not being made for the end users, and therefore are neither custom nor bespoke. if you are trying to say they are custom to Christophe's specifications, then they are no more custom or bespoke than a pair of chuck taylors - someone designed those too.*

small batch production and high-grade materials certainly factor heavily into unit costs here. however, i completely agree with rnrswitch (and others) that these are inflated well beyond any inherent value... that being said, i am also a firm believer that people should spend their money on whatever they want and not have to answer to others about it.

many of the things people buy (especially within this superfuture community) cannot be justified by their "true value." the people who love/support/buy MF products should simply say they like the piece(s) and pull no punches about it. they should also expect some dissenting opinions from people on this forum, as 95% of the products discussed here are considered to be in the absolute top echelon of quality and/or value per dollar.

just some thoughts.

*citation needed. i'd like to know who.

[akuma no uta]

figured. found a couple of L's on the interwebs, but that does my frame no good.

I assume whn you say medium you mean you'll need the small that it will shrink down to. But if ou need a medium, a large will shrink down to that.

[Bigyen]

yeah. i'm realizing that. i think i might jump on the L i found.

[rnrswitch]

In short, smaller production means higher prices, especially if a fabric was specifically produced for the small run item. But you already know that right?

Yessssirr.

[ThisSunday]

The past few pages have been pretty funny. I have a couple MF pieces and I have them because I think they are relatively unique. These boots though don't seem unique so I'm not interested in them. You can definitely find quality engineers for much less.

[Tiro]

... The level of quality on these alone is definitely what you would expect for 950 if you were having these custom done for you, the question is whether they fit your notion of perfect enough to pay what ends up being a custom price for a boot that is a finished product that you have no say in.

As to your last paragraph, yeah there is a lot of enthusiasm about the line in this thread, and sometimes I even get a little weirded out by it (even though I am certainly a participant in part of it myself). I think it is important to realize that a lot of this "hype" has more to do with a bunch of people geeking out on clothes that are pretty insane on a variety of levels, and less about them being some sort of "in" thing. I mean, a little hype here makes sense, it is the MF thread, on superfuture after all.

agreed with all of this and by no means was I suggesting it was some sort of "in" thing, sometimes it just seems like people are already geeking out on stuff that they haven't even seen or that isn't even out yet, just because it's coming from the MF labs so to speak.

but as you said, it's the MF thread afterall, so that isn't all that weird I suppose.

I guess what I miss is the occasional post that says "I don't like this or that piece", that still doesn't have to mean the piece in question isn't well constructed or whatever, it would just illustrate that people aren't blindly liking everything that comes with an MF label on it.

the thing that really had me thinking: "oh yeah, you're paying $50 for the beanie and $90 for the brandname" was the watchcap tho, for the boots it's alot easier to see where the price comes from.

[Opie]

The past few pages have been pretty funny. I have a couple MF pieces and I have them because I think they are relatively unique. These boots though don't seem unique so I'm not interested in them. You can definitely find quality engineers for much less.

+1

What i used more than twice the amount of text to say

[ThisSunday]

Cotton Duck's Mechanic Shirt review & fit

http://cottonduck.net/164395/MF-S-c-Mechanic-Shirt