Soles with soul
Hand-made pure leather footwear that's just made for walking
IT PERHAPS not surprising that Areerat “Nan” Chonprasert, the daughter of a well-known shoemaker, has decided to follow in her dad’s footsteps and make footwear a career.
“I did try to break away,” she admits with a smile. “I took communication arts at Huachiew Chalermprakiet University and signed up as a trainee with a radio station after graduating. I soon came back to shoes though. My parents wanted me to take over the business that has been producing quality footwear for well-known brands for more than two decades and I decided that was what I wanted too.”
Areerat owns Favorite Shoes in the new Talad Rod Fai market on Srinakarin Road and offers a range of leather footwear for men and women. She is also happy to accept custom-made orders to ensure a perfect fit and invites her customers to pick their materials and designs.
She acquired her marketing experience first hand, selling clothes and accessories sourced from Pratunam’s garment wholesalers from stalls at the old Talad Rod Fai in Chatuchak.
Favorite Shoes is small and simply decorated with wooden shelves and benches. Freshly cut leather gives off a pleasant aroma and Areerat guarantees that her hand-made shoes are of the very highest quality.
“I offer vintage-style shoes that can be worn every day and for any occasion. I use only the best quality leather and am always searching for new materials, mainly fabrics, that will pair well with the leather,” Areerat says.
Conservative and classically styled, the shoes get a modern touch from the colours, which range from navy blue and brown to green, red and orange. Footwear in the basic shades of grey, black and white is also available.
The supple uppers are soled with a combination of materials including wood and non-slip rubber. The shoes, which include sandals, moccasins, oxford shoes, boat shoes and flats, come in sizes 34 to 40 for women and 36 to 45 for men.
Particularly attractive are Areerat’s new collections of leather moccasins matched with printed fabric and that oxford shoes that sport a printed textile from Korea.
Men’s shoes come in a variety of designs and include brown leather oxford shoes, smart suede boots and two-toned boat shoes.
“Customers can expect to wait about one to two weeks for custom-made shoes,” she says.
“In the future, I’m planning to expand my stock to include high heels and fashion accessories.”
SLIP ’EM ON
Favorite Shoes is located in Room E4/13-14, Talad Rod Fai Srinakarin. It’s open Tuesday to Sunday from 5pm to midnight. Call (081) 645 6466 or visit the “FavoriteShoesfs” page at Facebook.
