Footloose and fancy free

ELEGANT CUSTOM-MADE shoes fashioned from the best leather have long been reserved for those with deep pockets. But now, thanks to a new small boutique in Chatuchek Weekend Market, everyone can own a pair 
Muper’s, as the store is known, is the brainchild of new-wave designer Patchara Janeiam, 29, who firmly believes that everyone has the right to great fitting shoes that also look stylish. 

The brand was born in 2012 when Patchara made his first pair of leather shoes and posted some photos on the social networks. His friends were impressed and orders poured in. Word spread and today his Facebook page has more than 35,000 followers. 
“I’m passionate about leather shoes but the ones that are well cut and have a terrific design tend to be way too expensive. I made my first leather shoes, while I was working in the communications department of my cousin’s shoe factory. I started from zero and acquired some techniques from leatherworkers,” says Patchara, who graduated in visual communication design from Khon Kaen University. 

Scamper Original Boots

Last year, Patchara teamed up with two other pals to open the first shop on the corner of Kamphaeng Phet II Road opposite the Or Tor Kor Market. It’s small and space is limited but passers-by cannot help be attracted by the floor-to-ceiling shelves stacked with footwear. 
Muper’s collection comes in 10 designs fashioned from genuine leather from both local and overseas tanneries. They range from vegetable-tanned leather from Japan and Horween Leather from the US to nubuck and oil pull up leather. 
All footwear boasts good quality rubber soles and leather uppers and come in brown, green, grey, black and white, making the shoes ideal to match with jeans and chinos for a casual look. Prices range from Bt2,500 to Bt20,000. 

Chukka boots

“Customised shoes are a good solution for those whose feet are not quite the same length. Customers get to choose the leather and design they want from our catalogue and we adjust the sizes to fit their feet. We offer a lifelong warranty and 
 free repair as part of our after-sales service,” Patchara says.
“The rubber soles come in different designs and textures and are designed to be flexible and durable for walking on any surface. Customers choosing imported vegetable-tanned leather also benefit from a premium rubber sole, created by Vibram.” 

Derby-S sneakers

The designs are good for the girls too and range in size from 35 to 45. Among the best sellers are the Scamper Original boots that are popular with urban bikers, Derby oxford shoes for the office and the Scamper II and Derby-S sneakers for more casual wear. There’s also a line of Colbie Oxford shoes for women for which Patchara uses a special polishing technique to create a wood-like texture on the rubber sole.

Patchara also sets aside some space for his designer friends to showcase their latest creations. On view are vintage-inspired canvas cups, jackets and leather bags by Surround, guitar straps from Qilin and vintage workwear-inspired jackets and caps by Binly Project.
  

SOLES FOR THE SOUL
>> Muper’s is on Kamphaeng Phet II Road (MRT: Kamphaeng Phet II exit 1). It’s open from noon to 6pm on Friday and until 8pm on weekends. Find out more by calling (085) 013 0706 or visit the “Muper’s Bangkok” page on Facebook.