Founded in 1906, Cherry Blossom has been the nation’s favourite shoe care brand for 120 years, rising from humble beginnings in Edwardian London to becoming a household name and a globally recognised brand. We’ve been there through changing fashions, historic moments and everyday milestones.
As we celebrate our 120th anniversary, we’re taking a journey back to where it all began: the bustling streets of Edwardian Britain. It was a time of elegance, innovation and impeccable style, when shoes weren’t just something you wore, but a reflection of who you were.
A New Century, A New Sense of Style
When Queen Victoria died in 1901, Britain entered a new era under King Edward VII. While many Victorian traditions remained, a fresh sense of optimism and modernity began to shape everyday life. Fashion became lighter, more expressive and a little less restrictive, reflecting a society that was slowly embracing change.
King Edward VII himself was considered something of a style icon. Long before he wore the crown, he was known for his impeccable taste and helped popularise contemporary European fashions among Britain’s elite. His influence soon trickled down through society, inspiring new trends in clothing and footwear.
The Shoes That Defined the Edwardian Era
At the turn of the twentieth century, footwear was every bit as important as clothing. A well-made, well-polished pair of shoes completed an outfit and signalled respectability, attention to detail and social standing.
For women, ankle boots remained the height of fashion. Crafted from fine leather and often featuring elegant buttons, decorative stitching, bows or contrasting panels, they balanced practicality with sophistication. Pointed toes and slim heels became increasingly popular while lighter shades and two-tone designs brought a touch of personality to daytime attire.
Men’s footwear was equally refined. Lace-up boots, Balmorals and the early Oxford shoe were wardrobe staples, designed to be smart, durable and immaculately maintained. Whether heading to the office, attending a social gathering or strolling through the city streets, polished shoes were considered an essential part of a gentleman’s appearance.
Why Polished Shoes Mattered
In Edwardian Britain, shoes said a great deal about a person before they ever spoke. Clean, gleaming footwear suggested professionalism, prosperity and pride. Scuffed or poorly maintained shoes, on the other hand, could quickly create the wrong impression.
As a result, shoe care was woven into daily life. Much like washing clothes or grooming hair, polishing shoes was a regular ritual in households across the country. Yet despite the importance of maintaining a smart appearance, many shoe polishes of the time simply didn’t perform well enough. They lost their shine quickly, rubbed off onto clothing and offered little protection from our famously unpredictable weather.
The Dawn of Cherry Blossom
It was against this backdrop that Cherry Blossom was born.
On the cobbled streets of Edwardian London, brothers Dan and Charles Mason, like many others, were tired of shining their shoes with polish that quickly lost its shine and rubbed off onto their clothing. They created a shoe polish that lasted all day and called it Cherry Blossom Boot Polish. This little tin, backed by imaginative marketing and product quality, quickly became a success.
What set Cherry Blossom apart was pretty simple: it worked! The polish delivered a long-lasting shine that stayed where it belonged, while helping to protect leather from rain, dirt and everyday wear. At a time when polished shoes were an essential part of daily life, Cherry Blossom quickly became a trusted companion for households across the country.
A Legacy That Still Shines Today
More than a century later, fashions have changed dramatically. The Edwardian boots and Balmorals may have given way to trainers, brogues and modern styles, but the principle remains the same: looking after your footwear helps it look better, last longer and carry you confidently through life.
The Edwardians understood that well-cared-for shoes make a lasting impression. One hundred and twenty years on, here at Cherry Blossom, we still believe exactly the same thing.
(Image 1 By Birgit Brånvall, CC BY 3.0 no, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29476267)
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