Shoe Couturiers
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Spain
Craftsmen at La Manual Alpargatera have been making espadrilles since 1941 for everyone from Ralph Lauren to Pope John Paul II. Every last detail--fabric, sole, ribbons--is hand-sewn. Customized espadrilles start at $15. The wait: two to five days, longer in summer. Carrer d'Avinyo 7, Barcelona, 011-34/93-301-0172, lamanual.net
United States
Kathy Pham has been crafting shoes at King Shoe in Orange County's Little Saigon since the early 1990s. She uses pigskin, calfskin, and lambskin to copy existing shoes or create new ones. Prices start at $150. The wait: one week. 9191 Bolsa Ave., Suite 119, Westminster, Calif., 714/897-4350
Vietnam
The family tailoring shop Thu Thuy specializes in made-to-order clothing, but the designers will also gladly fashion custom silk slippers. Floor-to-ceiling walls of beautiful silks provide design inspiration. Depending on the shape of the sole, combination of silks, and type of straps, the price varies--but rarely exceeds $10. The wait: one day. 60 Le Loi St., Hoi An, 011-84/510-861-699, hoianthuthuysilk.com
Repairs in a pinch
Nothing's worse than an untimely shoe snafu. These repair shops are known for quality with a quick turnaround. The only downside: That's one less excuse to buy a new pair. --Brooke Kosofsky Glassberg
- Chicago: Brooks Shoe Service 55 E. Washington St., 312/372-2504, $10 to repair a broken strap
- Coral Gables, Fla:. Gables Shoe Repair 2615 Ponce De Leon Blvd., 305/448-6390, $7 to replace a heel tip
- London: Classic Shoe Repairs 23-25 Brecknock Rd., Camden, 011-44/20-7485-5275, $14 to patch a rip
- Los Angeles: Arturo's Shoe Fixx 9643 Santa Monica Blvd., 310/278-9585, $6 to fix a tear
- New York City: Top Service 845 Seventh Ave., 212/765-3190, $22 to mend a broken heel
- Paris: Pulin 5 rue Chauveau Lagarde, 011-33/1-42-65-08-57, $12 to add a silicone insole
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