ABARCA
Exceptional leather goods
The world of riding boots, gun slips and hip flasks was met by a new member as Abarca’s ‘exceptional leather goods’ appeared on the scene in the Summer of 2012. The business is run by Javier Abarca and his Godson Felix Parker; the combination of Javier’s vintage, knowledgeable eye and Felix’s innovative views on sporting goods have resulted in the creation of a line of products that is both beautiful and practical. What is unique about Abarca items is that they are hand crafted out of genuine Spanish leather – thus the palette is that of terracotta tans to bull’s bronze rather than the default brown or black of most British leather products. What’s more, the skill of the craftsmanship means that whilst the products are robust and long-living they are also handsome and elegant; out of all the Abarca products it is the women’s boots that illustrate this marriage between practicality and style most overtly.
The strong Spanish leather, which has the durability to withstand the likes of the Andalucían cowboys, is more than up to the tasks of British country sports, whether that be: walking at a shoot; stirrupped-up for a day’s hunting; or at the flanks of a fit horse competing in anything from polo to eventing. It is not just this impressive resilience, however, that makes these boots practical: they are also extremely comfortable. Abarca knows the importance of a well-fitted boot when the foot it houses could be out hunting for anything up to seven hours; with this in mind the boots are lined with venison hide to ensure as much comfort as possible. It is this attention to detail that Abarca religiously stitches into each of their goods culminating in them really being a cut above the rest.
It is not mere endurance and practical qualities that Abarca strives for with their Women’s Boots, these products also prize themselves with their undeniable beauty. The boots come in a range of attractive hues as well as offering styles in both suede and regular leather. Moreover, the boots are designed to hug the natural contours of the woman’s leg which gives them an extremely flattering, slimming effect. The various boot styles also offer a variety of heels – from chunky to slender – to ensure that everyone’s tastes are catered for. The yet more aesthetically pleasing feature of Abarca women’s boots is their delicate detailing: this truly adds another layer of style and class to a range of boots which are already à la mode. It is the combination of these features which produces boots that look equally at home on a shooting peg and the King’s Road; this Abarca range channels the Spanish influence into a new kind of ‘country-chic’ which makes their boots desirable as both sporting goods and fashion items.
Finally, these boots, amongst all Abarca merchandise, are the perfect gift due to Abarca’s option of free embossing; this allows products to be personalised resulting in special gift that displays both excellence and thoughtfulness. And what greater a present than a stunning pair of hardy and happening boots, infused with the spicy smell of Spain, where both the high street and the stable yard can be your cat walk?
