A Closer Look on Vogel NYC: America’s Beloved Custom Bootmaker

We’re proud to spotlight Vogel NYC, a brand that embodies everything we believe in— craftsmanship, locality, and legacy.

For over a century, Vogel has been handcrafting footwear in New York City, carrying forward an American tradition of durability and design that feels more relevant than ever. We sat down with Craig Schroeder, Creative Director at Vogel, to hear more about the origins.

“Vogel became the natural extension of my philosophy— to rebuild an American icon by honoring the past, refining the craft, and designing for the modern man,” says Schroeder. With roots in tailoring and a reverence for proportion and intent, his work centers on discipline and timelessness rather than trends or volume. “Every shoe has to feel inevitable— like it’s always existed, but finally done right.”

How did Vogel come to fruition?

“Vogel has been crafting footwear in New York since 1879, originally for equestrians— Olympians, cavalrymen, and riders who needed something that could perform and endure. When I came across the brand’s legacy, I saw not just a shoemaker, but a piece of American design history that deserved to be preserved and reimagined,” he shares.

Coming from a background in law and tailoring through his first brand, Commonwealth Proper, he saw Vogel as a natural extension of craftsmanship and storytelling— “to rebuild an American icon by honoring the past, refining the craft, and designing for the modern man.”

What defines Vogel’s artisan process?

“Everything begins with proportion and intent,” he explains. Each shoe is designed with purpose and beauty, crafted by hand in New York using the world’s best leathers— Horween, Seidel, CF Stead, and Annonay— chosen for performance and patina, not status.

“What makes us good is discipline. We don’t chase trends or volume; we pursue timeless design, obsessive detail, and durability. Every shoe has to feel inevitable— like it’s always existed, but finally done right.”

What does sustainability mean to you?

For Vogel, sustainability is about permanence.

“‘Made to wear’ is our antidote to fast fashion,” he says. “It means creating pieces meant to live, age, and improve through use. True sustainability isn’t about slogans; it’s about permanence— making things so well that they don’t need to be replaced.”

Each pair is built with repairable construction methods, using Goodyear welts and natural leathers meant to last decades. “A Vogel shoe isn’t an accessory; it’s a companion that gets better with time.”

How does being created locally contribute to your brand and how do you think fashion brands can continue to be sustainable?

“Making locally is everything. It keeps us close to the process— to the smell of the leather, the rhythm of the machines, the touch of the craftsman’s hands,” he says. “In New York, I can walk into the workroom, make a design change that afternoon, and know every person who touches the product. That intimacy breeds quality and integrity.”

His advice for fashion brands?

“Slow down. Produce less, but better. Reconnect to local craft. Fashion has to return to substance— materials, make, and meaning. That’s where sustainability truly begins.”