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Bench Made
Making Shoes That Exist As Your Precious Partner
Date:17, Oct, 2014
Investigated and Written by Misaka Youhei
About our introductory articles


In Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, I feel population ageing looks more conspicuous than Shinjuku or Marunouchi maybe because it is a residential area. One corner of the town, found is a shoe workshop; “Bench Made” which was established by Okawa Yukiko and has made bespoke shoes from 2006.


Type: WHOLE CUT ROPE SEAM
Price: 310,000 JPN + tax
(INC. SHOE TREE)
Now, introducing Okawa Yukiko here. She got in the shoe making technology course at Cordwainers College (UK) in 1995, and soon, took work experience in John Lobb. Then, Okawa graduated and got employment in the bootmaker and worked for 8 years. She mastered everything about shoemaking there. It means that you don’t have to be afraid when you choose her.

“Bench Made” is her shoe brand which was established in 2006. The name shows her iron will to produce shoes for each customer. It doesn’t end at the delivery. She, namely “Bench Made,” is never negligent of after-sales service.

Our feet are not unchangeable, as shoes. Using and ageing always change them. Okawa Yukiko doesn’t hesitate to fit and adjust for each wearer. She has studied anatomy by herself. Then, Okawa analyzes your feet and gives correct revisions to your shoes she made.


Type: U-TIP DERBY
Price: 310,000 JPN + tax (Inc. Shoe Tree)
As mentioned above, she learned spirit of bespoke shoes which are going to walk with each wearer together all along his or her life. Well, it means that “Bench Made” exactly includes the meaning of bespoke shoes. It is never easy for us to get Bench Made shoes because it costs about 300,000 JPN. But you will need more for having your irreplaceable partner. Viewed in this way, it is cheap isn't it? Having married, you would nod your assent.

After coming back in Japan, Okawa has operated her shoe making school “Benchwork Study.” She said “I would like the shoes I made to be attended even after my death,” and her dream is about to come true. Making shoes for the owner, not for the makers; the concept is meant by “Bench Made.”



Reference

・Name: Bench Made
・Address: Shiba BLD. #408 6-7-7 Seijo Setagaya-ku Tokyo 157-0066 JAPAN
・Telephone: +81-3-3484-6133
・Official Website: Bespoke Shoes Bench Made
Interview with Okawa Yukiko







 

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