HEIRLOOM BY JOSH LEONG

Founded in 2016, Heirloom was founded by Josh Leong, a bespoke shoemaker from Singapore, and focuses on casual footwear that is made in Italy using both traditional and modern shoemaking techniques.
 
An incredible amount of time and effort goes into designing and developing each product that bears the Heirloom logo. We work side-by-side with traditional artisans and modern factories, to offer products with classic designs that are made from quality materials, and made with impeccable workmanship.

ABOUT BESPOKE SHOEMAKER JOSH LEONG

Before becoming a shoemaker, Josh Leong always knew that he wanted to create a product that was not only built to last, but would develop a unique character and become more beautiful over time.

His journey as a leather craftsman started out as a hobby, buying pieces of scrap leather from leather wholesalers who supplied furniture factories in Singapore and turning them into hand-stitched wallets, pouches and bags.

Keen to take his hobby and turn it into a full-time profession, Josh moved to Florence, Italy, to further hone his craft by learning from master leather craftsmen there.

While staying in Florence, there was an opportunity to learn shoemaking from an Italian master shoemaker named Angelo Imperatrice, and Josh decided to take the chance to try out a different type of leathercraft.

Little did Josh know that in shoemaking would he find his ultimate passion and obsession. As he delved deeper into the craft of traditional, hand-welted leather shoes, Josh knew that he had found the right product.

After completing his initial apprenticeship with Angelo, Josh was eager to continue refining his shoemaking skills and moved on to do a second apprenticeship at Stefano Bemer, one of the top bespoke shoemaking brands in the world.

Over there, he was mentored by master shoemaker Kumiko Imata, who taught him the finer details of bespoke shoemaking, as well as how to take measurements of feet and last making.

Josh returned to Singapore in 2015 after completing his shoemaking training in Italy, and setup his eponymous bespoke shoemaking brand, which he continues to run to this day.