The Leather Master - Gifted shoemaker flooded with requests for footwear

'Leather Master' Archibald 'Pinky' Davis does not have enough hands to keep up with the demands for his custom-made footwear.

Davis, who operates out of Franklyn Town in eastern Kingston, finds himself fully booked, leaving no room to accommodate new clients during this peak period. His loyal clientele, built over years of delivering quality craftsmanship, continue to rely on his skill and recommend his artistry to others.

"I closed off from the first week in August. I have year-to-year customers and they would recommend people, so I have my hands full. There are people who will come late but I will sometimes have to tell them that until I finish what I have, I can't take on any more because I don't like contention. The ones who usually quarrel are those who usually late," a chuckling Davis said.

The most sought-after shoes are the 'Clarks lookalikes', but Davis stressed that he is not copying the popular brand. He added that he is fully aware of the copyright infringement laws and usually reminds his customers that he does not make counterfeit items.

"Dem like the shoes that design like bank robbers and the girls will more go for the L Stitch type. The ones that looks like Wallabees take longer and can take up to a day because of the way it is designed. When they come and say they want me to make a Clarks, I tell them I don't make that brand, but I do make shoes. If after I make the shoes and give to them, they want to call it Clarks, then it is up to them," he said.

Davis, 62, is from a family of shoemakers and has been in the business for four decades. He made his first shoes in 1977.

"I grow in the business because my father and uncles were shoemakers. I made my first shoes to attend my father's wedding suh it was a look good shoes. My family was surprised because they didn't know I was catching on so quickly," he said. He smiled when he admitted that he did not like the field initially and tried other jobs, even working as a pastry chef.

"I continued to make the leather belts but I didn't like the shoemaking thing. But after working out for so many years I decided to start my own business. I started with the belt but people started bringing shoes so I just start making and repairing shoes," he said.

In addition to making leather shoes and slippers, Davis also makes wallets and dog collars. He said those items are usually in demand when shoe sales are slow. Davis said he is also contracted to make belts for a few schools in the Corporate Area.

A regular pair of shoes will take approximately four hours to make. Unfortunately, the high cost of materials is killing shoemaking locally. He stated that there are hardly any stores that sell and supply leather, which makes it even more difficult for the trade to survive.

"There used to be a lot of leather shops where you could go and purchase materials but now you just have one or two persons that supply. They are the only ones where we can get the cheese to buy also. Persons will go store and buy one but the quality shoes that they are bringing in now, especially those from the Chinese, are not always durable. Sometimes it's a one-wear and they have to take them to us to repair them. Most ladies now walk with one of the shoes glues in their bags should the shoes leave them on the road," he said.

The starting prices for one of Davis' shoes is $6,000, but he said the profit is meagre once you factor in the cost of material.

"It's really hand to mouth but I love what I do. Materials are expensive suh it's not like we make a lot, but we continue doing it," he said.