Visitors can see how shoes are made at the shop. Photos: MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
Amid the hustle and bustle of the capital city lies a quaint little shoemaker’s shop that bears witness to a dying trade — the art of making leather shoes by hand.
Helming the Leather Point shoe shop at Kompleks Pertama in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur is Rahmat Mokhtar, 54.
Working meticulously, Rahmat demonstrates admirable skills while preserving the fading traditional craft of cobbling.
The air is thick with the scent of leather as you step into his shop.
Rows of leather shoes in different hues of brown and black greet customers.
At one side of the shop, one might catch a glimpse of Rahmat at work as he uses his skilful hands to transform pieces of leather into shoes.
Rahmat works diligently against a backdrop of leather materials behind him. — Photos: MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
The cobbler’s hands move with a grace that can only be acquired through years of practice and passion.
From cutting and stitching to moulding and polishing, every step in the shoemaking process is executed with precision.
However, with mass produced shoes taking precedence over craftsmanship, the cobbler’s trade is in danger of dying out.
Rahmat said customers could get leather shoes either ready-made or custom-made, according to their own preferred shoe design.
“Locally made leather shoes are comparable to international quality.
“We use materials from natural leather such as cow, snake and crocodile skin, based on customer requests.
“Each pair costs anywhere from RM400 to RM2,800,” he said.
Visitors can see how shoes are made at the shop. Photos: MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
Visitors can also find leather boots at Rahmat's shop.
Rahmat sewing the shoes at his small little shop.,
visitors can also check out some fancier shoes being made.
Rows of leather shoes on display at the shop.
Rows of leather shoes on display at the shop.
The dying craft of making leather shoe by hand.
Different sizes of mould are used for shoemaking.
Rahmat works diligently against a backdrop of leather materials behind him. — Photos: MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
Making leather shoe by hand is a dying art.
Rahmat using a steel pincer to grip the leather before hammering in tacks to keep the material in place.
Rahmat works diligently against a backdrop of leather materials behind him. — Photos: MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
The shoemaker works in a humble little shop in Kompleks Pertama, Kuala Lumpur.
