Shoe Maven: Exclusive interview with Mashizan Masjum

Ask anyone today and they would wax lyrical about their endearing childhood dreams – be it to be a designer, baker, lawyer or artist. Now when it comes to realising those dreams though, few are lucky or fortunate enough to have done so. One name that comes to mind would be Mashizan Masjum who has fulfilled his dream to become a shoe designer.

After learning the art of shoe making in Florence, Masjum launched the eponymous label, Mashizan early this year, with the debut collection, ‘Le Tre Sorelle’ (The Three Sisters). The range pays homage to his three sisters as he weaved personal narratives into the six elegant styles – Anguilla, Elegante, La Sarima, Sayang, Sayumi and Simona. All of which are made with a range of materials including patent leather, calf suede and pony hair in wedges and d’Orsay pumps. In addition, Mashizan shoes are all constructed in Florence with materials sourced in Italy – perhaps in a bid to celebrate the sheer mastery and craftsmanship that Masjum got to experience first hand during his course there.

Intrigued by Masjum’s career switch and impeccable design sense, we sat down with him to learn more about his journey from television journalism to designer, learning from a master cobbler and of course making it in Singapore’s fashion industry. Perhaps we’ll get inspired to fulfill our childhood dreams next?

Marie France Asia: What made you decide to switch from television journalism to fashion?

Mashizan Masjum: It’s not so much a switch as I’m still involved in television documentary production. I see it more as an extension of my creativity into the fashion world where shoes become works of art to be worn and to be adored. I’ve always had a fascination with footwear. To me, with all the curves and adornments, they become living pieces of art. They enhance beauty, elegance, and sophistication. They help to bring out the confidence and strength of the women who wear them. That’s the power of shoes I feel, and in particular heels. If they are well-made and worn at appropriate occasions, they give you a certain air of confidence, partly because of the upright posture. I don’t advocate wearing heels constantly. I always believe in moderation. Mix and match your footwear, your styles to your heel heights. Let them breathe as well and recover. Shoes, especially if they are made of quality leather, need tender loving care and need the rest just as much as we do.

MFA: Why did you decide to go into shoe designing instead of apparel for instance?

M.M.: With shoe designing, it’s both an art and a science. The aesthetics in shoe designing is important, but so is comfort and fit. And with the latter, it’s very much a science that’s based on many rounds of testing, prototyping and fitting. The angle of an arch can make or break the comfort level of the pair of heels. I’ve always loved this balance of science and art. I’m creating art works that have to rely on science in order to make them wearable and practical. I love the fact that what I’m creating can impact the mood, the psyche, the confidence of the wearer.

MFA: How would you differentiate your brand from other shoe labels?

M.M.: We pride ourselves on bringing back that old world luxury feeling. Ours is a hark back to the heady days of Sophia Loren of the 1960s, the time of La Dolce Vita, where quiet sophistication is de rigueur. The elegance is understated and charming. Our ladies are confident in their own quiet manner without the need for ostentation. This is our brand DNA. From our shoe styles to our shoeboxes, we make sure there is consistency of our brand DNA. For our shoebox for instance, we decided to build upon our history in story telling. Each style that we’ve come up with has a story to be told, and they are all told in the lookbook that comes in each box. The box itself is made to look like an encyclopaedia, paying homage to our creative director’s past experiences as a documentary storyteller.

MFA: What’s the main inspiration behind your debut collection?

M.M.: For this debut collection, I was inspired by my life experiences in Florence, Italy. The beauty of its Renaissance architecture, the nooks and crannies of its meandering lanes, the chandeliers that hang in grand halls. Those were the things that inspired me. I also know that with this collection, I wanted to pay homage to strong women everywhere. I’ve always been a feminist at heart, I’ve been surrounded by strong women who would do whatever it takes to bring them and the people they love the happiness they aspire towards. So with this collection, I married ideas of those two. Telling stories of strong women and showcasing the beauty that one marvels at in Florence.

MFA: How was the experience learning from master cobbler Angelo Imperatrice and former Ferragamo shoe designer, Illaria Papucci?

M.M.: It was a truly amazing experience. Because it was an artisanal program aimed at mid-career adults, there was a lot of independent learning. You choose to learn as much or as little as you wish. You learn the techniques and you take what you’ve learnt as far as you want it to go. The barrier in language could be challenging – after all Maestro Angelo speaks no English, but with the help of our translator, we learnt how to understand him better. Unlike other university or academic programmes, this was an experience that is perhaps similar to those experienced in the medieval or even ancient world. I can imagine that was how artisans in ancient Rome and Greece learnt their art. You learn from a master and cultivate his wisdom and experiences and try to absorb all of them up as much as you can. But they expect you to practice your craft and art. There is no short cut; you’ve just got to do it.

MFA: What are your thoughts on Singapore’s fashion industry?

M.M.: I think the fashion industry in Singapore is an exciting one to be in. There are so many talented designers who are bold and who are daring to experiment. This new generation of designers is more exposed to a globalized world. We don’t necessarily see ourselves as just Singaporean or Asian. We have Asian sensibilities, but we also know that the world is our oyster and that we can be as successful as any other brands discovered in New York, Milan or Paris.

Mashizan Masjum is available at Takashimaya, Shoe Salon, Level 2, 391 Orchard Road. 

Tarandip Kaur