The Final Sole: Lee Kean Siong’s 67‑Year‑Old Journey and the Quest for a Succession
It’s a Close‑up Story of Craft, Legacy, and Red‑heads
Every year the city buzzes with new startups and tech gadgets, but this time the spotlight is on a humble craft that’s been stitching Singapore’s feet for four decades. Lee Kean Siong, a 67‑year‑old shoemaker, is winding down his life‑long career because he can’t find a person to pick up the last pair of tools.
The Apprenticeship Shortfall
Lee’s second‑generation shop, Lee Hoi Wah Shoe Maker, has had a tough time deploying a train‑the‑trainer philosophy. “I had three aspiring mentors—women who studied shoe‑design—we expected them to learn the ropes. But mastering the art of foot‑fitting is like piloting a compass; you have to be meticulous. All three walked away in a year.”
- One left because the process felt “cumbersome.”
- The other two couldn’t grip the idea of “exact measurements.”
- Even Lee’s own children decided that stiletto‑shipping isn’t in their future.
Age, Inflation, and the Last 16 Black Soles
With staff spilling over into their 70s—including Lee’s sister at 69 and a seasoned employee older than 70—costs are trickling through the margins. Lee quips, “I’ve already paid for more than 16 pairs of black leather for a legend. And now some customers anxiously place extra orders, fearing that after me, they’ll lose the comfort that was once guaranteed.”
From the Launchpad to the Prime Minister’s Door
Lee’s relationship with Singapore’s former first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, began serendipitously. “Kwa Geok Choo put me in front of the gentleman and I was officially in the shadow of the nation’s heart.” He recalls a time when the late Lee had a painful corn. “Instead of housekeeping a doctor, he came straight to me for a new insole. That was my chance to show that a custom shoe can change a life—literally.”
Feet Change; Shoes Must Keep Pace
Every foot is a story. If it’s a polio patient with a stand‑up chance or a tall man with a foot preference, LKean Siong is the hands that bridge the gap. He prides himself on the level of detail in sizing: height, width, length, and every nuance matters. That is the secret sauce that kept the brand relevant for 25 years.
The Customization Challenge
Lee didn’t dive into customization immediately after taking over from his father. He originally sold shoes wholesale, then the craft of customizing took root. “These shoes aren’t just footwear; they’re an ergonomic promise.” He declares, “They have to fit and be comfortable. That’s why the name continues to resonate.”
Retirement Call: “Why Not 70?”
Things get funny when a grandmaster hits his age and the collection of the city. In a conversation with the current prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, they discovered a shared birth year. The PM cracked, “Why don’t you retire at 70!” and the joke has stuck. “It’s a reminder each day I get that I’ve dug solid into the ground; the era is closing.”
Just like fashion, mastery needs a successor. Lee may sign off soon, but the lessons his hands wove into every pair will remain. Perhaps someone new will follow, or maybe his legacy will travel through stories, like the sole of a custom shoe that lasts a lifetime.
