This name may not trigger sparks in your heads, however, another name, his brand name certainly screams if you are an avid shoe lover, HephaestuS.
HephaestuS is a very famous Vietnamese shoemaker, although he is not the only one, but its quality or handmade percentage may be the highest.
It is a great honor to interview the founder, Le Ngoc Thanh.
Could you introduce yourself?
My name is Le Ngoc Thanh, people call me Thanh Le.
I graduated from University of Technology and Engineering, majoring in Automotive dynamics.
I was born and raised in the western part of Vietnam but now work and living in HCM city.
My hobbies are quite simple: I like to drink coffee and work in a quiet space.
When did you get interested with shoes? How?
When I was a student, I was studying and doing small business with second hand shoes from Thailand, Cambodia and other countries. I am extremely Excited to open the packages containing lots of shoes in them.
At that time, I met a lot with dress shoes from many big and small brand names around the world and I was hoping one day, I will also make shoes like them, and so I shaped my passion when I was 20 years old.
I started shoemaking when I was 23 years old.
Where did you learn shoemaking? Is there any mentor?
It was really difficult and a big obstacle for me at the time because I lacked almost everything, the only thing I had was passion. And luckily for me I was able to maintain my passion. This love had formed over 3 years already.
The first brand in world class that I love is Riccardo Bestetti, I love Italian shoemaking and the way Mr. Bestetti created it.
Later, I had the opportunity to meet and admire many Japanese artworks, and I love them very much So I did research and self-study Japanese shoes on the internet, I love that meticulousness.
Not only that, in Vietnam there are many people going back to Japan to return to shoemaking, I also learned from them. I got a lot of knowledge and experience.
Why did you choose the name HephaestuS?
It’s no coincidence that it has a lot to do with my personality and myself. I love Greek mythology so I know a lot of gods, HephaestuS is the god of fire and craftsmanship, both of which coincided with me, so the name HephaestuS shoemaker was born.
My aspiration is to bring the story and history of HephaestuS Shoemaker to the world.
How did you describe Vietnamese shoes? What makes it special?
In Vietnam, the field of menswear and dress shoes is gradually developing, but there is still a lot to learn from the shoemaking world, and Vietnamese shoemakers are gradually creating a distinct, imprint of signature on their way.
CNES is very good at patina, and Fugashin focus on Japanese market, how about HephaestuS?
They are two successful big men in Vietnam, I respect them very much.
HephaestuS had a later start, but what HephaestuS brought was the passion, the meticulousness of the Vietnamese craftsmen on the product, the art and the story of a young man efforts on the path of art.
Do you have oversea customers? Where are they from?
After more than 3 years of development, HephaestuS has gained the love and trust of both domestic and foreign customers. For foreign customers, they come from many countries, Asia, Europe and America. I am very happy that Vietnamese shoes are so widely available around the world.
How many people are in HephaestuS team?
Currently, Team HephaestuS consists of 5 members, we have come together and have the same goal of bringing Vietnamese shoes to the world with the name HephaestuS.
Who are your best friends in shoemaking or bigger shoe world?
I have a lot of friends, seniors in the shoe world, who have helped me and supported me a lot since I started.
I really appreciate and thank them, especially Mr. Justin FitzPatrick, owner of TheShoeSnob and my brother from the same hometown Mr.renwork.
Please say something to Chinese shoe lovers.
Thanks to all the readers, who watched my story in China and all over the world. I hope good things happen to everyone and I hope HephaestuS will be known and widely accepted.
Price
MTO: 225 USD for Goodyear and 325 USD for Handwelted, MTM adds 80 USD.