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[title]For shoes
The Shoemaker’s Elf
Created and conceptualised by lawyer-turned-entrepreneur Seetal Randhawa, this quirkily-named, fairytale-inspired local label started off as an online shop in mid-2013 before expanding to a physical showroom earlier this year. It’s pretty much a dream come true for any woman who views shoe-shopping as a nightmarish ordeal – every detail, all the way from the material, colour and print, right down to the heel height, width and style, is customisable (even features like insoles and heel thickness can be chosen). The brand is a blank canvas, and you’re the artist; all you have to do is sketch out your own design or source for inspiration (if you’re not the creative type, just pick a basic style from their selection and tweak it however you like). Available for casual sandals, pretty wedges, work pumps, ballerina flats, strappy heels and wedding stilettos, the service takes about three to four weeks to create your one-of-a-kind pair – and if it doesn’t fit exactly the way it should, bring it in for a free alteration.
#03-64 Tanglin Shopping Centre (8322 5675, www.theshoemakers-elf.com). Orchard MRT. Sat 1-4pm or by appointment. Prices range from $100 to over $500 for a custom mould.
be*U
As kids get increasingly style savvy, parents will be pleased to hear of be*U, a line of bespoke children’s shoes that claims to be the first in Singapore. Founded by a Taiwanese husband-and-wife duo and brought to our shores this year, the award-winning brand boasts of details like a patented keyboard outsole for flexibility and shock absorption, a wide width and rounded edges to imitate walking barefoot, and a heel counter for better support. Crafted with 100 percent genuine leather (you can pick from calfskin, sheep, crocodile, ostrich and more), the handmade footwear caters to one- to ten-year-olds and offers over 600 motifs and 100 colours from a variety of collections and designs, as well as different types of stitches and shoe laces, so kids can go wild choosing. Out of the two collections available (keyboard and ballerina), the keyboard one allows you to further customise each pair by embossing your little one’s name, horoscope and even date of birth on it, and will be delivered to you in four to six weeks.
Four locations, including L4 Children’s Department, Takashimaya Department Store (6513 4334, www.beushoes.com). Orchard MRT. Daily 10am-9.30pm. Prices range from $138-$188.
Q Menswear
Established in 2011 by Chong Han San (who previously designed for Raoul and co-founded bespoke menswear brand, Clothesmith), Q Menswear is known for its ready-to-wear casual attire and accessories, as well as bespoke suits, shirts and, of course, shoes. The process of creating your custom handmade shoes begins with sharing your style with the team, followed by taking measurements of both feet, making a pair of wooden lasts (essentially a 3D model of the foot) and a fitting session for last minute size adjustments before the shoe is crafted. Offered in collaboration with Hong Kong brand Shoe Artistry, the service allows you to choose your preferred material, design, pattern and colour (even contrasting ones). Visit them at their cosy showroom (make an appointment in advance) or request for a private consultation and they’ll come to you for a minimum spend of $3,000.
116A Telok Ayer St (6636 6939, q-menswear.com). Telok Ayer MRT. Mon-Fri 11am-7.30pm, Sat 11am-3pm. Prices range from $750-$1,000.
For bags
AmeVi Designs
A mother-daughter effort, this adorable local label specialises in limited edition handmade crafts in the form of bags, homeware and accessories. The moniker is a combination of their names (Amelia and Vivien), and fabric items on offer for customisation range from tissue pouches and shoe bags to totes, lunch bags, laptop cases and even cushion covers or aprons; all you have to do is choose your preferred material from their website and send in measurements or show them a sample item at their pushcart (which offers more variety than online), and your purchase will be ready in two to four weeks. Everything’s pretty chirpy and cutesy here – the extensive range of printed fabrics imported mostly from Japan and the US includes little hearts, flowers, animals and other quirky designs. Customisation of accessories is also available.
AmeVi Designs pushcart, B2 Orchard Central (www.amevidesigns.com). Somerset MRT. Daily 11am-10pm. Prices range from $4.90 to over $80.
Fabrix
Spearheaded by Colin Chen (who’s also the co-founder of Tyrwhitt General Company), this homegrown label creates bags that are simple, sophisticated and sleek. Minimalistic in design, the goods on offer include totes, satchels, laptop bags and phone accessories. If you wish to personalise an item, the bespoke tailoring service allows you to browse through the selection of textile prints and designs before making an order in a size specific for your device or gadget. Or you can mix and match various fabrics and add on compartments, pockets or custom leather tags with your name or initials stamped on them. If you’ve got something else in mind, Fabrix can also custom-make other types of products such as beach totes or even diaper bags for you.
www.madebyfabrix.com. Prices start from $35.
Obbi Good Label
Leather is what this Singaporean label specialises in – props to its delightfully Singlish name – leather in the form of suave bags, vintage and modern wallets, small key pouches and belts. The brand’s customisation service varies far and wide from bags, wallets and iPad sleeves to even sofa upholstery modifications – basically, the artisans can custom-make any item, but do keep in mind that certain materials may turn out differently from what you expect. Simply show them a sketch or image of what you have in mind; they usually refrain from a complete imitation, and will insert their own trademark elements after a discussion with you. The process takes up to four weeks, and they’ve got a waiting list at the moment, so act early if you wish to order from them.
25 Bali Ln (8181 2090, obbigoodlabel.com). Bugis MRT. Mon-Fri 11am-7pm; Sat 12-6pm. Prices start from $400.
For accessories
Carrie K.
Glamorous and sophisticated, Carrie K Artisan Jewellery is a brand known for its classy taste in accessories, offering everything from bracelets and rings to cufflinks and bowties for both genders. Its bespoke service is slightly more upmarket, depending on the intricacy of design and materials chosen. Common requests include engagement and wedding rings or even the redesigning of heirloom pieces, but the store also takes orders for other types of accessories (think bracelets, earrings, necklaces and cufflinks – there’s even been a request for a diamond nipple stud), and you can customise an existing design as well. It’s a personalised service here, where founder Carolyn Kan sits down for a chat with you (either at the atelier or via Skype or FaceTime for overseas customers), then sketches out ideas that distill your story into a design after two weeks. Once you’re completely contented with the proposed design, it takes about four to six weeks to craft your unique piece of jewellery.
136 Bukit Timah Rd (6735 4036, www.carriekrocks.com). Mon-Fri 2-7pm; Sat by appointment only. Prices start from $2,000.
The J.Myers Company
Sitting pretty in a cosy Chinatown space is self-taught leather artisan Jeremiah Ang’s workshop, where handmade local products are beautifully crafted in a simplistic design, with a selection of belts, cuffs, pouches, wallets, phone cases and bags. Bespoke services are available for watch straps – you’ll get to choose the leather skin and stitch colour (and have your initials embossed on the strap), which is then completely constructed by hand. For business-minded customers or companies, a full service for customised leather-related goods is available, from consultation to conceptualisation, prototyping and production management – you can order a single exclusive piece or custom-make corporate gifts in large quantities. Simply make an appointment to talk about the product you have in mind.
#03-90B, 5 Banda St (9474 0174, www.jmyersco.com). Chinatown MRT. By appointment only. Prices start from $180.
Trinkets Etcetera
Precious, handmade gifts and accessories are what this local online store sells, with items like pendants, key chains, bag charms, bracelets and rings included in the array of pretty trinkets. Almost everything here can be tweaked – following a one-to-one consultation via Facebook or WhatsApp, the brand sources for materials and delivers the finished item to you in about seven to nine days. You can choose to customise anything from charms, crystals, clasps and photo accessories to messages within pendants or lockets. Prices are quite affordable here – it’s $15 for a sweet and simple message ring to $45 for an elegant crystal bracelet – and if you’re keen to see the accessories in real life, the shop pops up in artisan markets every quarter.
trinketsetc.co. Prices range from $15-$45.