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Care study: Rendering texture on a well-worn pair of printed heels

Maker: Sophie S  | Item:  Dolce & Gabbana leopard print heels | Service: Print restoration


These vintage D&G heels are made of a hairy-textured leather, commonly referred to as pony hair or calf hair. With time and wear, these styles of shoes and bags can form ‘bald patches’, which are increasingly noticeable because the leather below the hairs is often light in colour. This leopard print pair was sent to Maker Sophie S with noticeable patches along the front of the heels and the edges of the leather. 


Maker Sophie is a South London-based restoration specialist. She restores many of these pony hair pieces, using artist techniques to recreate the look of the hairs. While we don’t re-apply individual hairs to the surface of these leathers, carefully colour-matched brushstrokes create the same effect which, when viewed from a few inches away, look indistinguishable to the rest of the leather. 


Sophie colour matches an array of pigments that show up in the leopard print, and uses a very fine brush to create texture across the patches of the shoe. She completes the restoration by using gold pigment to improve the look of the leather insole. 


To the naked eye, the missing hairs on this pair of heels were never gone, and the insoles are once again looking fresh. Have a well-worn pair of heels that need some love? Click here to begin your leather restoration booking and get a quote from our Makers in 48 hours. 


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