The Shoe Snob Story
The Story of The Shoe Snob
The Shoe Snob began with a simple idea: to see men wearing better shoes. What started as a straightforward goal quickly became a much larger journey centered on education, craftsmanship, and raising standards in footwear.
Justin FitzPatrick, founder of The Shoe Snob, grew up in Seattle, where shoes were often treated as an afterthought. From an early age, he was drawn to well-made footwear and became increasingly interested in how shoes were constructed, worn, and cared for. Recognizing that credibility required more than enthusiasm, he pursued a degree in Entrepreneurship at the University of Washington while setting out on a long-term plan to learn the footwear industry from the ground up.
That path began on the sales floor at Nordstrom, where two years of hands-on retail experience provided a practical understanding of how shoes are bought, fitted, and worn. It then led to Florence, Italy, where Justin apprenticed under the late master shoemaker Stefano Bemer. There, he was immersed in bespoke shoemaking and traditional shoe care, learning techniques and philosophies that would permanently shape his approach. During this period, he also launched The Shoe Snob Blog, which quickly gained international attention for offering an honest, behind-the-scenes look at the world of high-end footwear.
Driven by a desire to continue learning, Justin moved to London. He first joined Gieves & Hawkes on Savile Row, where his expertise in artisanal shoe shining earned him a position, and later received mentorship from Tony Gaziano of Gaziano & Girling. Long commutes spent sketching designs eventually turned into a cohesive portfolio, and with guidance from Tony, those ideas began to take form as a future brand.
In 2013, Justin launched his first shoe collection, selling both online and from No. 1 Savile Row, alongside a carefully chosen range of shoe care accessories. At this stage, the blog, shop, and footwear brand worked together as one ecosystem — education supporting product, and product reinforcing education.
After nearly a decade in Europe, Justin returned to the United States, continuing to build The Shoe Snob with the same underlying purpose. While the platforms have grown, the mission has remained unchanged: helping men make better decisions about their footwear through knowledge, experience, and honest evaluation.
Today, The Shoe Snob exists across four connected platforms, each serving a specific role within that vision:
What started as a simple idea has grown into four platforms sharing one vision:
- The Shoe Snob Blog -- Education, reviews, and insights into footwear construction, care, and culture.
- The Shoe Snob Shop -- A considered selection of footwear, care items, and accessories.
- The Shoe Snob Marketplace -- A space for special offerings, samples, and unique opportunities.
- J.FitzPatrick Footwear -- A premium shoe brand built on design, craftsmanship, and long-term wear.
