Stepping out in style - Shoemaker crafting durable custom kicks

So high is the demand for his custom footwear that Archibald 'Pinky' Davis had to stop taking orders from July 31, as he had reached his limit.

When THE WEEKEND STAR visited the shoemaker at his business place in Franklyn Town, east Kingston, he was busy completing his last set of orders. He said his 'Clarks lookalikes' are some of the most sought after, especially during the back-to-school period.

"I got about 50 orders and right now I have about 12 pairs left to make. I usually make two pairs a day. So, if after I complete these, I may take on two more. But, for now, I have to cut off because I don't want any argument," he said.

According to Davis, his shoemaking service continues to be in high demand, not only because of the flashy design of the footwear, but their durability.

"Dem shoes here is not just style - the shoes I make are lasting. My shoes last for a year or more but, when the parents buy shoes downtown, dem have to buy all three pairs for the children. In addition to that, my shoes price dem affordable. Imagine getting a 'bankrobber' or leather desert fi as little as $6,000," Davis said.

The shoemaker said he has been a 'saviour' to persons, including teenagers with gigantic feet. He showed the news team an enormous paper measurement that belongs to a teen who he said was struggling to find a pair of shoes that fit.

"Yuh have some little boys with big foot eno, because I get an order for a 15-year-old and he wears [size] 13 and a half, and not only that, him foot dem broad bad. Him have a very high instep so shoes for him would be hard to get. The way him happy that he is able to get not only a shoes, but a fashionable one, him pay mi for it same time in full," he said.

Davis, who is nursing a broken leg, said he no longer works all night, as he does not want to be on the injured leg all day.

"I had it from last year and I put too much pressure on it because I was coming out all 3 a.m. So I am not pressuring myself dis year. One thing I can guarantee is that the shoes will be ready for September and none of my customers will be left disappointed," he said.

Davis, 63, is from a family of shoemakers and has been in the business for four decades. He made his first pair in 1977. He also makes leather belts, slippers and dog collars.