At no point during the novels, or the films, does Bond mention the name of his bootmaker. According to OHMSS Costume Designer Marjory Cornelius, George Lazenby shocked Lobb’s conservative staff by asking for zips on his boots, an addition that he felt would be both stylish and practical.

Mrs Cornelius recalled the day like it was yesterday: “They simply told him, if you want zips you can go and have the boots made elsewhere.”‘ Lazenby acquiesced and Bond got his traditional Lobb boots – without the zips.* James Bond’s London – Gary Giblin

The wife of fifth generation shoemaker Jonathan Lobb is Conchi, a Spanish lady with class and she oozes affability. I tell her I’m a Bond fan, looking for her husband. She tells me Pierce Brosnan was just here!

It feels like a misstep pardon the pun. As if she has given away client confidentiality.

I co-authored a book some years ago called From Tailors With Love, An Evolution of Menswear Through the Bond Films. In it features a small passage and a quote from Jonathan Lobb.

I’ve accrued many signatures in the book from costume designers, cutters, tailors, etc that have contributed. Jonathan glibly signed. When I pressed for a photo together he said with irritation, ‘Ok be quick.’

Not as affable as his wife I thought who took the photo, and that’s fine.

‘You might remember me Jonathan I interviewed you for the book,’

“Inevitably certain facts do enter into public domain, and if so we will certainly verify if possible. In the case of the shoes made for Diamonds Are Forever I have been looking back at the orders. {…} The order was placed on 13th August 1969, A few weeks before I was born. The fitter,

Ron Hutton, who took the order has since passed away.”*

‘I don’t remember you, sorry.’

Understandable.

Conchi walked me round the shop.

“You know, Bond now gets his shoes from elsewhere. We know that. But we suspect that the filmmakers get given the products for free, and they get the exposure. We can’t do that. We’re bespoke. We’re a family business. We simply can’t afford to give out things for free.”

A gentleman called Neil was sanding down a last in a room that looked every bit like a shoemakers workshop to look like.

‘You don’t have any music on Neil?’ I ask.

‘Sometimes I have it on, but very low. I can whistle songs if I need music so its fine.’

Downstairs, there are rows upon rows, high up on antiquated wooden shelfs of leather bound archives. Many of which going back 100 years. I wonder if Fleming is in there.

Conchi presented some leather uppers wrapped around a last yet to be stitched or composed to the sole. They were huge. She picked out the small order tucked inside the lace and read the name, ‘My my Mr Merryweather you have massive feet.’

She assigned the shoes back to the shelf. ‘People with feet as big can only get shoes made bespoke. He’s American. He’s lucky he has the money to afford it. But then most Americans can it seems nowadays.’