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If your childhood was anything like ours in that dark, forgotten era before import liberalization and globalization, then you know shopping for shoes for the new schoolyear was a taxing experience. Our mother would haul us to every shoe store in Cubao and make us try every black school shoe in existence. “Does it fit? Does it pinch your toes? What about the back? Try walking in them. Are you sure? Are you sure? Are you sure?”

At some point we would say yes to all questions just to get the ordeal over with, and we’d end up wearing ill-fitting shoes for months. Around this time we became convinced that bespoke—custom-made—shoes were the most wonderful things ever. You wouldn’t have to go from one store to another trying on shoes that had touched other people’s sweaty feet—you would call your bespoke shoemaker and order shoes in the style that you wanted. A week or so later, they would appear. We don’t want designer labels, we want stuff made for us only.

The other day our friend (and supplier of hand-woven abel Iloko fabric) Rene introduced us to Sheryll, who owns Shoes by Kai. Sheryll has always loved shoes, and after a few visits to Liliw, Laguna the tsinelas capital, she decided to go into business. With a small team of artisans, she produces handmade shoes. One of her ideas was to incorporate local ethnic weaves into her shoe designs. Voila: Smoking slippers in abel Iloko. (Now we have to get a smoking jacket. And a very long cigarette holder. Just for props because we don’t smoke.)

This photo and photos below courtesy of Sheryll Quiming Gempis

We took our smoking slippers for a nice, long walk yesterday—they’re very comfortable and practical, plus the probability of running into anyone wearing the same shoes is extremely low. The inside is lined and soft; the soles are light and flexible so you can fold the shoes, stash them in a bag and take them anywhere. Spare shoes! Like those bendy ballet flats, only they’re made of artisanal, eco-friendly, indigenous (3 buzzwords!) materials. Say you’re going to meetings or social events where you would prefer to tower over other people. When your feet are about to commit suicide, take off the heels and slip these on.

Other ethnic weave designs from Shoes by Kai: Open-toed gold shoes with abel wedges.

Oxfords, also available in black.

Le smoking slippers and capped toe flats. Yay, we’re going to get lasts made so the shoemakers can make pieces to our specifications. Of course our ideal shoemaker is Daniel Day-Lewis, but he’s not taking orders at the moment.

Red shoes with op-art abel Iloko wedges.

The prices are surprisingly affordable. To order, contact shoesbykai@gmail.com or visit their facebook page.