Now you can shoe it yourself
Amanda Luisa runs shoe-making classes of four students per session
Ever wished you could make your own pair of shoes from scratch? I CAN Make Shoes is a three-day workshop that teaches you how to do just that. Set up and run by Sydney-born London-based shoemaker Amanda Luisa, 24, the workshops take place twice a month in a studio in Dalston.
“I have always loved shoes and was so excited when I learned how to make them, I really wanted to share that feeling,“ Amanda says. She describes the workshop as being “designed for beginner students who want to learn how to take their design from concept to finished product.”
This means that no previous knowledge is needed – the students are taught shoemaking in four stages: from the idea development/design stage to upper stitching, lasting and finally the finishing touches. Upon completing training in cordwaining (shoemaking) in Australia, Amanda went on to work as a freelance shoemaker: “I developed my own method of shoe making which incorporates the same quality and strength of traditionally made shoes only without the use of heavy machinery. This approach to shoe making gave me the freedom to start making shoes from home.”
The same method has been applied to the workshops, where students are taught how to make quality shoes themselves using their hands and a few tools.
After years of making shoes for other people, and a move to London in 2007, Amanda decided to set up I CAN make shoes. “When I was making bespoke shoes, it was always one-on-one and since I was practically telling the client step by step what I was doing, I thought ‘I could really develop this into a workshop.’”
When starting out, Amanda hired a digital design agency to help her with the development and online presence of I CAN make shoes, which she thinks was very helpful. “I had been trading as a freelance shoemaker for years and it was as if overnight I had this completely established business… It was really important I got this right as a solid foundation and everything has been growing rapidly since,” she recalls.
The workshops are located in Dalston – in a studio which Amanda admits is her biggest expense. However, she seems content with the location, saying: “I think it’s really worth paying for a great space though, it adds to the whole experience.” When asked whether she received help from the council, she said laughing: “No, but I’m working on it.”
Amanda is currently working on establishing further one-day sandal making workshops for summer, hoping to expand her company. “The workshops just seemed like a great idea at the time and then it really took off… I think natural progression in your career is really important.”
An I CAN make shoes three-day workshop costs £500, including tuition, material fees and the finished product.
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