Welcome to The Shoe Bear

A Whole New Look

When I started learning shoe patternmaking I thought that I would put my efforts on creating bridal shoes or formal evening shoes, since most of the custom-made’s are from that category (and not to mention my frustrations on being a fashion designer for gowns, at least I could design shoes that’ll match them).  I started this blog while I was learning how to design and pattern shoes , I made it as a sort of a business website to let brides-to-be know that they can, at anytime, show us the picture of their own shoe design or a a cut out from a magazine and create an exact match for them. However, after a while when I got so fascinated seeing my patternworks come to life plus the fact that I could actually wear them, I then figured out I should do different kinds and styles of shoes aside from the gown shoes I have initially thought of.  That is why I decided to dress up this blog according to my shoedesign-patternmaking-life.

Well, basically this blog is no longer intended for business, perhaps I'll just create another one in the future once I've decided to put up a shop (or you can visit ZAKI shoes for fine leather footwear designed by me and my bff). I just want to write about my life as shoe designer (in the making).

Family of Shoes

Shoe business runs in my blood. My grandfather used to have a shoe business in Marikina, while my father, who is the ultimate in terms of the craft (and expert in high fashion), gave all six of us a comfortable life because of his shoemaking skills, and so is my mom who knows uppermaking so well. My brother who is the eldest is helping with the family business and is also a shoe patternmaker himself. He is the one patient enough to teach me the basics and how-to’s of shoe patternmaking. And also, two of my sisters also know how to make patterns.

I ♥ flats

In my younger years, never I'd been so fascinated with shoes particularly high heels, perhaps it is because all my life I’ve been seeing different kinds of shoes and I can always ask my father to make one for me if I’ll be needing it for some occasions (requires right timing based on his moodswings, haha!). I love wearing flats, slippers and tennis shoes and I often buy one because most of the shoes at our workshop are for high fashion. I cannot stand even an hour wearing high heels, but if I had to, I make sure to bring flats so I could rest my feet once in a while.

Let me blog about:
♥ my shoe designs and inspirations
♥ shoe accessories
♥ some how-to’s
♥ ..and more

P.S

If you're wondering why I call this "the shoe bear", well actually there's no story behind this, and nothing really special about the name. It just so happened that I want to add a touch of cuteness to this blog. 

Handmade Platform Pumps Made of Natural Fiber

This pair of HANDMADE ankle-strapped platform pumps is made of "jute" which is a natural vegetable fiber that can be used for different purposes ( rope, twine, paper, textile, fabric and a lot more). Jute fiber is also one of the most eco-friendly fibers as you can recycle this material more than once.

The sides and piping on the strap as well as the platform and heel cover is made from genuine patent leather (*leather that has smooth and shiny texture because of the smooth glossy finish used to coat the material).

The sole is made from leather (bend leather sole) which is comparatively more stylish and elegant than the normal rubber sole. One of the nice things about leather sole is that it doesn't retain heat making your sole feel more comfortable.

These pictures show the natural color of jute fiber, you can experiment on different colors by using some fiber reactive dyes you can buy on textile shops. A cheaper version you could use is a fabric dye (jobos) but I’m not quite sure how well the jute fiber could absorb it. Coloring jute fiber could be very messy and must be done by following a process. But as for me, the natural color of jute is just perfect for combining other types of material and colors.

There are so many native fiber materials you can find in the Philippines and most of them are durable and stylish and can be used as materials for shoes and bags. From the previous post, I made an open-toe shoe made from pineapple silk fiber designed for a wedding. Other fiber materials you can use are abaca fiber which is known for espadrilles, buntal fiber for woven bags, as well as water lily which you can process into a leather material.

Pinya Fabric Bridal Shoes (Pineapple Silk Fiber)

An open toe pumps made from pinya silk fabric with intricate threadwork designed by Ali Figueroa of Provident Village Marikina for her sister's wedding.

Artisan Shoes are World-class

Durable, elegant, detailed--these are the qualities of handcrafted shoes...preserving the tradition of craftsmanship and providing jobs for skillful family men and women.

From detailed pattern making using wooden shoe last...

and letting the hands of skilled workers to make fine footwear.

my mom..