The story of Original Playboy began in 1936 when English shoemaker Hutton in Northampton created an entirely new type of shoe with a unique and patented construction. It was based on a thick crepe sole made of 100% natural plantation rubber, an upper in premium skin with a round signature leather piping, and a finishing colored crepe foxing all around the shoe. 

The shoe was named 'Play-Boy' and marketed as 'The easiest shoe on earth' for its comfortable fit and feel. However, it’s one of the most complicated shoes to manufacture with more than 200 manual processes to make the shoes by hand, requiring high levels of classic shoemaking skills, especially when it comes to attaching the characteristic piping and crepe foxing. 

The ‘Play-boy’ shoe quickly became popular and has through times been worn by public figures from royals to legendary Hollywood actors, jazz musicians, rockabillies, hip-hoppers, and a host of other good people around the world. The brand gained particular recognition when Steve McQueen, one of the world’s hottest actors, wore Original Playboys both privately and on-screen in the 1950s and well into the 1970s. 

Steve McQueen notably wore the Original Playboy chukka in the film Bullitt in 1968, famous for one of the wildest car chases in world history through the streets of San Francisco and, not least, for the über-cool McQueen in the role of police detective Frank Bullitt. McQueen was considered one of the greatest icons in film history and a style pioneer who continues to inspire the fashion world. 

Therefore, we are proud to launch our new collaboration with Steve McQueen’s son, Chad McQueen, and his children at Pitti Uomo and present a special edition of the Original Playboy chukka with Steve McQueen’s name and emblem embossed on the shoe. Showcased side by side with our full collection of handmade shoes in the Original Playboy brand.