THE Cantonese have a saying, oi lang mm moi meng, which means one would rather choose beauty over life itself. Basically, it means that people are willing to go to extreme lengths for the sake of looking good.
This is especially true of women who don't think twice about wearing killer-high stilletos and narrow, uncomfortable but gorgeous shoes at the risk of getting back pain and other health-related problems.
However, sooner or later, the "shoes of the past" will catch up with you, which explains why so many women end up with foot problems like unsightly bunions, calluses, fallen arches or worse, chronic knee and debilitating back pain, and slumped shoulders.
Footwear craftsman Thomas Chan has been making beautiful shoes for women for over 20 years but he himself suffered from bad posture and hunched shoulders by the time he was 39.
"At that time, one of my clients told me that when he saw me from the back, I looked like a 60-year-old man," says Chan, 47.
The unassuming Kuala Lumpur-born shoemaker picked up the trade of shoemaking from his father when he was 21, and honed his skills by going for short courses overseas.
Initially, he made shoes for the wholesale sector; along the way, he established himself as a supplier of footwear to well-known designers the likes of Michael Ong, Bernard Chandran and Alvin Tay. His eponymous label was established in 1987 (his first shop was located in Suria KLCC). He also makes customised shoes.
Chan feels that his back problem was probably caused by years of bending over his shoes. He is very involved in the actual production of his creations, from designing to sourcing of materials, to personally overseeing the decorative details.
"I was really stressed out and my body showed it. I consulted a podiatrist who recommended a pair of orthotics," he explains.
"They helped tremendously but I had to pay more than a thousand ringgit for those insoles. It got me thinking: here I am, a shoemaker - surely, I can come up with something similar, if not better!"
Chan then did some research by reading up on the subject on the Internet and consulting other orthotic specialists, with both Western and Eastern expertise.
"You'd be surprised to know that Taiwan and China have conducted extensive research on this subject, probably because the Orient believes strongly in reflexology and that many points in the foot are closely linked to the rest of the body," he says.
Hence, he came up with Thomas Chan Orthotics in 2004, a range of comfortable orthotic insoles that are biomechanically engineered to reduce heel and forefoot pressure, relieve foot pain and fatigue, and maximise comfort and foot protection. These foot supports result in better posture which, in turn, help wearers gain confidence and improve their self-image.
The Malaysian-made leather top insoles provide support and stability, excellent shock absorbency, and are dynamically shaped to the contours of the individual foot for customised comfort. Clients can choose to customise a pair of insoles for either high-heeled shoes or flats, or go for the classic off-the-shelf range of footwear available at his shoe boutiques.
The orthotics are designed to maintain foot alignment so that functions like standing, walking and running feel more comfortable by slightly altering the angles at which the foot strikes the ground surface. Preventing misalignment of the foot can significantly alter the way in which the bones move within their joints. In time, this improves foot function and minimises the stress force that often results in foot deformity and pain.
"My insoles are a little different from the Western ones as mine are slightly raised at a certain spot near the foot arch, intended to massage that area believed to be (linked to) the liver and kidney spot.
"Of course, the insoles for low-heeled shoes produce better results but, women being women, they can't stay away from high heels so I've got a range of shoes that are at most two-inches high to provide for this category. Any higher and it won't be comfortable," he explains. The shoes are especially useful for those with arthritis, bunions, plantar faciitis and flat feet, or anyone who spends long hours standing on the job.
Apart from orthotic and ordinary stylish shoes, Chan, who has a factory in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, also offers additional services and products such as repairs, adapting shoes with wedges and raises, and handmade wide-fitting shoes. Insoles for women and children can be custom-made for RM350 (S$151) and for men, RM600 (S$259).
At his boutique, you will find sensible sandals, whimsical ballerina shoes, wedges, classy strappy heels with bling, high-fashion footwear and orthotics, as well as a wide range for men.
All Thomas Chan shoes are made from leather and prices start from RM99 (S$42). Orthotic shoes for women start from RM499 (S$215) while for men, it's RM699 (S$301).
You would think that his four daughters, aged 11 to 19, should be the luckiest girls as they get to wear their father's creations. Ironically, Chan says he doesn't have the time to make shoes for them!
At present, there are three boutiques in the Klang Valley with the Thomas Chan label, with the latest and biggest showroom opening up in the spanking new Empire Shopping Gallery in Subang Jaya, Selangor. Chan plans to open three more outlets by the end of the year.
For details, call tel: 03-5632 0919 (Empire Shopping Gallery, Subang Jaya, Selangor).
