Meet Our Artisans

Master Orhan

He is 3rd generation artisan who has take up the baton from his father and passed it down to his son who runs the entire operation in the atelier. He tells us he has grown up watching his grandfather and father crafting the shoes in his grandfather’s tiny atelier. He has learned the intricacies of this heirloom shoemaking from a very young age. He says: “My grandfather then my dad were shoemakers. I didn’t know and didn’t want to do anything else, follow their footsteps”.

With 50 years of experience and knowledge, today, he cuts the leather into pieces and makes them ready for the next step. He tells us that is one of the most crucial sections in the process. Thus, he is not willing to leave it to anyone else yet. 😊

Master Mustafa

If we know anyone most dedicated to his job with love and passion, that person must be Master Mustafa. He is a proud artisan with 41 years of experience under his belt. Master Mustafa’s humble attitude towards his work is always admirable.

We enjoyed chatting and exchanging ideas with him as he took the time to explain the techniques of designing uppers, what the best fit would be like and more. Even though we bombarded him with so many questions, luckily, there's no such thing as a stupid question for Master Mustafa.

He is the pattern maker. Also, the perfect and precise stitching you see on the outer leather of Akanas is the product of his mastery and his old-school sewing machine. He has a 16-year-old son, Settar, is a very brilliant student. Although, his aim is to study further in the IT field, he apprentices in our atelier during summer school holidays to help his father and learn additional skills.

Master Firat

Firat is the youngest of all. He describes his entry to this heirloom craft as it all started with curiosty. Firat: “I just wanted to give it a try, stayed for eight years now.” and smiles.

Firat is responsible for hand stitching the upper and sole together using a proprietary double-needle stitching technique what makes our shoes unique. This particular task needs strong hands and focus as he puts a stitch after a stitch precisely without help of any machine to punch the holes. All he needs an awl, two needles and a string of cotton twine.

We love seeing the young generation is interested in heirloom shoemaking and upholding the centuries-old tradition.

We wish him a long successful career.