Louis Vuitton is one of those high-buck designer brands, right? I think I remember Mrs. IDP speaking of their purses and handbags being ridiculously expensive. I s'pose it's no wonder. If their items are hand-crafted in that manner, that's worth something. I don't know if it makes it worth paying $1000 for a pair of shoes that'll last 10 years, when you can buy 20 pairs in the same period for the same or less, but hand-craftsmanship is obviously worth something to somebody.
And talk about your marketable productive skill for TEOTWAWKI. I wish I knew how to make something essential like that.
I enjoy making things and I enjoy watching other people do so -- the real experts.
It's not just the hand-crafting; some of those shoes are made-to-fit. I don't believe I'd pay $1000 for a pair of shoes (or a bag), but if one has trouble finding shoes that fit properly, as I do .......
Women's shoes in a wider width are difficult to come by, much less in a size 5 1/2. Advice from the salesperson is to buy a size 6, then. Unh hunh. That's like advising one to buy longer pants when the waist is too small.
John McCain, as I recall, was hectored by some during the '08 campaign because he wears custom-made shoes. His feet were terribly tortured when he was in captivity.