Business · Companies · 3 hrs ago
Singaporean shoemaker makes handmade barefoot shoes in Kyoto
Singaporean craftsperson Chin Shiying makes barefoot shoes in Kyoto through her leather label, Yanmaei.
The shoes have thin, flexible soles, no raised heel and a wide front that lets toes spread.
Chin says conventional shoes can restrict foot movement, especially dress shoes with narrow shapes and rigid soles.
She became interested in leather during a 2014 visit to Kyoto and later returned to learn the craft from a local artisan.
She spent about a year apprenticing in Kyoto after saving money and learning Japanese.
Chin first launched a leather accessories label in Singapore in 2018, making items such as bags and wallets.
Yanmaei’s shoes reflect her belief that footwear should let feet move more freely.
Singaporean craftsperson Chin Shiying makes handmade barefoot shoes through her Kyoto-based leather label, Yanmaei.
The shoes have thin, flexible soles, no raised heel and a wide toe box.
Chin says the design gives feet more freedom to move.
She moved toward shoemaking after attending leather workshops in Kyoto in 2014.
In 2016, she returned to Kyoto and spent roughly a year apprenticing with a leather artisan.
- Who
- Singaporean craftsperson Chin Shiying, founder of Yanmaei.
- What
- She makes handmade barefoot shoes designed to let feet move more freely.
- When
- Not stated.
- Where
- Kyoto, Japan.
- Why
- Chin says the shoes are designed to give feet more freedom to move.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Chin visited Kyoto and attended workshops at a nearby leather studio.
Chin asked the leather artisan if she could return to learn more.
Chin returned to Kyoto and spent roughly a year apprenticing with the artisan.
Chin launched her leather accessories label, Senkoubou, in Singapore.
- Shoemaker
- Chin Shiying
- Label
- Yanmaei
- Base
- Kyoto, Japan
- Shoe design
- Thin, flexible soles; no raised heel; wide toe box
- Kyoto visit
- 2014
- Apprenticeship
- Roughly a year, beginning in 2016
What people are saying
When we wear shoes that are not feet-shaped, over time, our feet will naturally mould into the shape of the shoe.
With leather, you can see where you make a mistake, whereas you can probably disguise it in fabrics.
Whenever you’re ready, just come back.