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 The Space

Brooklyn Shoe Space is a great makers’ classroom space for students to be creative, and coworking space for members to make a mess and make shoes! We are a hub for shoemakers and connect makers to the right resources. We encourage each and every individual who come to our space, to go on and succeed in their shoe journey, whether it is making, or starting your own line, or to work in the industry.

You'll find all the basic equipment that you'll need to make a pair of shoes such as 5-in-1, multiple high post machines, zig-zag machine, patcher, skiver, finishers, glue stations, sole press, heel wheel…

You’ll see us doing classes, making shoes, prototyping, hosting SHOE TALKS online on IG LIVE, and inviting other guest teachers to teach a specific topic, and behind the scenes we are matchmakers, introducing talent to the industry.

During the pandemic, we started a running scholarship application, where anyone can apply easily on our application form. We now crowdsource our scholarship funds, through Patreon, and through sales of BKSS goods. We use the patreon platform to offer BTS views, an inside peek into Brooklyn Shoe Space, that’s more candid, raw and just a bit more intimate. Please consider donating to the funds. 100% of the proceeds there will go to scholarships.

The Founder, Keiko Hirosue

Keiko Hirosue first became intrigued by shoemaking when she was in college. Her own shoes never seemed to fit her the right way—she thought she had unique feet–and yes, each pair of feet are unique and different as they should be!

Born in the USA, Keiko grew up in a beach town in Kanagawa, Japan. She studied at Keio University Shonan Fujisawa Campus. After graduating, she moved to NYC to apply to Law Schools. Her life changed when she took her first shoemaking course in 2003. The shoes were uniquely hers, and fit so well. Since then, hooked on shoes, Keiko learned from multiple independent shoemakers while working her way through corporate fashion industry, independent fashion brands and footwear companies to understand the industry better. Later, after having had a collection of her own, she focused on her love of shoemaking. 

Constantly seeking out instructors to teach her new skills, she began to recognize the need for a central hub that would encompass all-things “shoemaking”—a space where she and other makers could make big messes without messing up their tiny NYC apartments, a resource for shoemakers in search of supplies and a resource for those who want to learn how to make shoes, by hand. This space turned into Brooklyn Shoe Space, a coworking space and classroom space for shoemakers and leather workers. 

In 2020, the Roebling Street Storefront co-working location closed its doors due to Covid, but now has moved to a new home in East Williamsburg part of Brooklyn, where Keiko continues to teach shoemaking classes and builds a community around Shoemaking.

 

Who We’ve Shared The Space With

Over the years, many people have come through our space to design and create shoes. Large and small businesses have trusted us with making their collections, Universities send students to learn the art of shoemaking and many of our own students go on to work for famous brands and for themselves as independent shoemakers. We are proud of our community of collaborators.

  • 3.1 Philip Lim

  • Adidas

  • Aldo

  • Antonia Saint NY

  • Bonobos

  • Caleres

  • Camuto Group

  • Coach

  • Cole Haan

  • Comunity Made

  • Cooper Hewitt Design Museum

  • Crye Precision

  • Drexel University

  • Eileen Fisher

  • Emme Parsons

  • Fashion Institute of Technology

  • Feetz

  • Gensler

  • Global Brands Group

  • Harvard University

  • IMADETHATBAG

  • Inkerman

  • Jefferson University

  • K-Swiss

  • Lauren Manoogian

  • Magnus Alpha

  • Marc Fischer

  • Nene Shoes

  • New Balance

  • Niconine

  • Nike

  • Northwestern University

  • Parsons School of Design | New School

  • Patagonia

  • Pratt Institute

  • R/GA

  • Sam Edelman

  • Steve Madden

  • Synclaire Brands BCNY International

  • The Met

  • Theory

  • Tommy Hilfiger

  • United Nations

  • Veerah Shoes

  • Vibram

  • Vida Group

  • Visionquest Shoes

  • Volver Workshop

 
 

Press

Interview of Keiko Hirosue by Aiko Tanaka of I Don’t Camouflage

I Don’t Camouflage: Shoemaker Keiko on What It Was Like Being A Japanese Returnee / Third Culture Kid

Keiko split her childhood between United States and Japan. She recalls how it was like being a "returnee" in Japan and why she chose to live her adulthood in Brooklyn, NY.

Directed, Filmed & Edited by: Aiko Tanaka

Starring: Keiko Hirosue & Kira Korolev

Brooklyn Shoe Space Students: Janet Sanders & Tammy D. Gilliam

 

In the Field & Around the Country:

Polo Ralph Lauren Americana: A look into the lives of nine people from around the United States passionate about their craft, community and way of life>

“A Shoemaker and founder of Brooklyn Shoe Space, a collective, community, and classroom celebrating the art of shoemaking.”

 
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Cobbling Together: The Brooklynites who Gather to Make Handcrafted Shoes

The Guardian >

“Former employees of big shoe (brands) are hoping they can change the industry, one step at a time.”

 
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Meet the Female Founder Behind the Shoemakers Movement

A Women’s Thing >

“Here, women realize that we don’t have to do it all alone. We support each other. No one is competing. We hold space for each and every designer.”

 

 
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Brooklyn Shoe Space

“With American-made footwear accounting for less than 2% of the market today, shoemaking is more or less a lost art in this country; a statistic that concerns New York resident and decade-long shoemaker, Keiko Hirosue.”

New Learning Times >

 
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Brooklyn Shoe Space Creates Work Hub For Footwear Designers

Footwear News >

“If Christian Louboutin or Manolo Blahnik can’t fill your footwear fantasies, Brooklyn Shoe Space is here to help. “

 
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Get a Leather Craft Education: Brooklyn Shoe Space

PanAm Leathers >

“The Brooklyn Shoe Space is a membership-based shared work space for shoemakers and leather workers alike to gather, share tips and get down to work on their latest leather and shoe projects.”

 
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Brooklyn Shoe Space emerges in the handmade craze

Uncubed >

“Once you start making shoes, you get hooked.”

Get In Contact 

We’ll get back to you as soon as possible!

 
 

Address: 87 Richardson Street 3rd Floor unit 300G