Why Handcrafted Shoes Still Matter in a Mass-Produced World

Mass-produced shoes are often made for speed and cost-efficiency — but handcrafted shoes emphasize quality, detail, and heritage. Each stitch tells a story, not just fills a quota. Handmade shoes often use premium leathers, natural soles, and better finishing techniques, meaning they last longer, age beautifully, and require fewer replacements over time. 

Artisan shoemakers can customize sizing, width, and design to suit individual feet — a level of comfort rarely achievable with factory-made footwear. Small-batch, handcrafted shoe production typically means better labor practices, less waste, and a smaller environmental footprint than fast fashion factories. In a world of sameness, handcrafted shoes stand out. They reflect personal style and a conscious choice for authenticity over trend-chasing. Countries like India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan have centuries-old leather and footwear traditions. For investors and buyers, this represents untapped potential in the luxury and mid-range markets.

Vision of FG Shoes in 2016/2017

Vision of FG Shoes is to become the preferred choice, and a clear leader, in customized velvet slippers

Business idea is to offer personalized shoes of great quality, at affordable prices

• Urban, street smart styles

• Trendy, high quality materials

Target customer is a 20-35 year old male or female, with an interest in fashion, 

Our value proposition to our customers is:

• Customized velvet slippers and dress shoes to best reflect our customers personality

• Great value for money; quality is a lead word for FG Shoes, yet at a good price point

• A wider selection of materials and colours than at 'traditional' competitors.

Brands Manufacturing :The Leader's back

The footwear sector of Bangladesh has put an impressive performance in last decades in tapping its comparative advantages in brands manufacturing & exporting quality handmade shoes at most competitive price. Among the one dozens major footwear-exporting countries, none has grown faster than Bangladesh since 1990s & even since 1995, no major Asian exporter of footwear has exhibited higher growth rates than that of Bangladesh. Bangladesh should be proud of this industry but at the same time, this industry has made the country vulnerable.

The reason behind the higher growth rate in footwear sector is possible, due to the preferential treatment of quota protection in the US and GSP facilities in the EU. Due to globalization & trade liberalization under WTO (world trade organization), the world market environment is changing fast. It will be substantially difficult after 2012, as there will be no quota restriction for footwear items to export in US market. 

General Situation in Footwear industry:

Bangladesh shoe market is having almost 30 years experience by now. Though, at the beginning the market was producing only basic product like sandal, Moccasin,Espadrille,Pump shoe ,sports shoe etc. As time goes by, Bangladesh market has sent their many workers to Italy for training on how to make good shoes in a professional manner. Gradually this market started making value added items like Goodyear welted shoe, Bespoke shoe,Horse riding boot ,Made to measure shoe,Made to order shoes,Velvet Loafers in many varieties to maintain with current market demand in global world.

In those days back in 90’s major importers captured this market. Trend to their business

was they used to handle leather & accessories   from Hong Kong, China, Korea, Taiwan, and Indonesia and even from India & Pakistan. At that time this market was totally import base, everything had to import which caused a lot of problems like longer lead time & sometime leather or accessories not come right eventually order not confirmed or had to send the goods by air.

After experiencing all these hassle, Bangladeshi entrepreneurs have started giving their attention to prepare themselves with proper backward linkage facility.

The key components of the project are to build awareness and ensure occupational health & safety, human resource management, labour & welfare and continued monitoring of child labour, Implementing of the projects will help achieve ISO-9000, SA-8000 & SA-14000 certification at factory level. The project will also facilitate increase in productivity and quality improvement.

Since this sector is the highest income source for the country, this is an essential step commonly taken & agreed upon by all opposition & Govt. party that,  this sector cannot be interrupted under any circumstances. So this market will never be hit by there political unrest. 

Footwear sector and FDI in Bangladesh

Exports may exceed a billion dollars by 2013 if power is ensured

Bangladesh could have a billion dollar footwear export sector by 2013 claim local shoe manufacturers on the basis of both the current growth in shipments and the increased production capacity in factories under construction. If the assessment is correct, in a three-year period the level of exports can increase five-fold from the $205 million worth of shoes that were exported in the last fiscal year that ended in June 2010. 

In the first four months of the current fiscal year there has been $98 million worth of exports, a 65 per cent increase from the same period last year. Taking this rate of growth into account, it is estimated that the current fiscal year’s footwear export is likely to cross $300 million. Japan and Germany are now the biggest markets for Bangladeshi footwear but US buyers are increasingly showing interest in sourcing from Bangladesh. The Export Processing Zones at present have 18 shoe and leather goods factories but there are at least seven large factories under construction, mostly owned by big manufacturers in the shoe world. The factories under construction include Korean company Youngone’s footwear complex which is said to be the largest in Asia. This year Youngone — which produces sportswear for Nike and other leading brands — estimates that it will export $56 million worth of footwear. However, when the new factory is completed next year the company expects to increase exports to at least $250 million by the end of 2013.

Taiwanese shoe manufacturer Pau Chen, which employs about 4,00,000 workers in its factories in China and 50,000 in Vietnam, is also building a large manufacturing facility in Chittagong. Australian manufacturer Bonbon Shoe, a supplier to Hugo Boss, and Xen Chen and Genford of Taiwan, are also building footwear factories in Bangladesh. Apex- Adelchi also has a new factory that will soon start production. With an annual turnover of about $100 million, the Bangladesh-Italy joint venture is now the largest exporter of footwear. However, with a new joint venture factory, Blue Ocean Footwear, due to go into production by February 2011, Apex will get involved with a turnover of nearly $200 million of footwear export by 2013.

FG Shoes | Luxury intelligence technology

FG Shoes is changing its footwear technology today.Value, sustainability and consistency are now the themes moving their export.And these themes are also impacting shoes exporting for the 2013 Spring/Summer season.The authentic and natural remain in focus.They are individually interpreted with quality handmade leather shoes and a touch of competitive price point .

Product Materials

The intensity of the colours is influenced by the look of materials and their surface texture. Criteria here are lightness, softness and a natural feel. Against this background soft kidskin plus lamb and goatskin, especially nubuk and suede, are gaining significance. Surfaces feature typical scarring. Leather comes washed, roughened up or with a patina and has a very casual, authentic look as a result. Perforations and latticework provide ventilation on hot days. Playing a key role are here textile materials. Canvas and linen, often in combination with leather, come in an enormous range of washes, dyes and tie-dye effects. Influences from foreign exotic cultures are visible in python and lizard embossing. Next summer sees material mixes, though ones that are considerably more subtle in the way they are presented. Matt-shine effects are a key style medium.

Shapes

Well-being and wearability are the pre-requisites for contemporary and modern shoe fashion suitable for UK market .Last year customer valued remarks goes for fitting enter into a harmonious union.Following the trend towards casualisation focus on beautifully soft moccasins and casual top siders offered in unisex styles. ,dress shoes,boots and casual shoes still in a high demand from european customer.

With men's shoes sportiness is in demand across the board. The trend is heading for rounded lasts that are sometimes slightly domed in shape. Lace-ups and loafers feature an elaborate finish and often two-tone effects. Casual boots have also become a firm fixture in the shoe closet. Alongside mid-cut styles in canvas, desert boots in supple suede prove ideal companions for chinos and denim. Pale, mainly white soles and white laces exude summery freshness on sneakers and docksiders. Moccasins are the No.1 theme for underlining that casually sporty look. Materials and soles here have to be light, soft and flexible. After all, no man wants to dispense with comfort wherever they are.

FG Shoes offering EASYGOING casual and comfortable footwear to UK/USA/EU shoe retailers reflect that longing for nature and originality. 

Exploring leather Footwear market

Bangladesh is a potential land to grow Footwear & Clothing that is in search of exporting its huge number of products to Europe – UK & USA every year. 
FG Shoes is one of them has earned a reputation and good name & fame of producing higher segments product  by contribution of our dedicated expertise.we are capable to manage your full vertical demand with a short lead-time.
From our own Technical Team, we can up-grated your changes thru powertech solutions which is adding a new creation ever not found from Bangladesh.
   
FG has been in the shoe business since 1996,have been hand-crafting and lasting leather footwear and custom shoes for over twenty years.Today they are pleased to be able to offer international clients Old World quality and service.
                    
FG artistic philosophy is quite simple: build fine dress shoes,using only premium leathers and time-honored shoemaking techniques.The result is handsome footwear that fits better and becomes more beautiful with time.
                    
FG business philosophy is equally simple: provide every client exceptional, individualized service. Mindful of classics fashion currents, we help every customer examine and interpret his individual style. Our clients are Retailers,Chain store,Independent shop,Importers and stockies.
Superior craftsmanship is our main passion; superior service is our obligation to you.
•32000 sq.ft. Factory covered area ,Est.1998
•Maximum daily output 3500 pairs
•3 footwear production lines
•Employs a maximum of 360 workers at a time.
ABOUT PROJECTS,
Company undertakes bulk order , a medium quantity order from small to medium size clients, the wholesale price is truly low ,reason behind the gross margin per unit cost overhead produced is quite small,
Large quantity order usually means: over 5000 pr.
Company holding expensive skills of expert by yearly contract basis , the skills of mid to top level production people are partially italian & Indian citizen.the chain works almost by itself with (less expensive) labour cost involved and thats a key fact of low wholesale price making difference to any other shoe maker in Asia .