Shoemaker

To create bespoke shoes, shoemakers cut, sew, assemble, and fit pieces of leather by hand. Each stage of the shoemaking process requires a specific specialty.

The foot’s print and shape are transferred to a shoe last made of wood or resin: this is where the work begins. The patternmaker-cutter hands over to the stitcher. One by one, the fitter (also known as the ouvrier du pied), the liégiste or cork artisan, and the shoe pamperer each work on the shoe to ensure the end product is as perfect as it is comfortable.

An artisan may only legally claim the title of shoemaker if they have mastered at least two of these specialties.