Michal Pavlas

Shoemaker

©Michal Pavlas

From folk dancing to shoe making

Michal made Indian moccasins as a child
At one period, he only made orthopedic shoes
Today, he handcrafts luxurious shoes

Michal Pavlas grew up in the Czech mecca of shoemaking – Zlín, where the Baťa siblings founded their globally known brand. The manufacturer's spirit influenced the young boy; many family members worked there, so it was natural for him to attend a shoemaking school. Intrigued by J. A. Baťa's book "Let's build a state for 40 million people", Michal set his mind on making shoes himself one day. Besides studying, he worked in the manufacturer and he also sewed some pieces at home. "As a teenager, I used to make training shoes for traditional dances of Moravian Wallachia. I was a member of a folklore club, I needed them myself. And so did my fellow dancers, my first customers."

Interview

©Michal Pavlas

©Michal Pavlas

What came after the dancing shoes?: I did my military service in the capital, and a few months after, I got a job opportunity there. So I moved to Prague and opened a shoe repair service. After six years, I felt it was time to make my own shoes. The first pair were full brogues, Goodyear Welt Derbys.
Why did it take these six years?: I started independant life at the beginning of the 90s, very soon after the Velvet Revolution. Society had to adapt to new conditions and people had to develop new outputs. Bespoke shoemaking didn't exist at that time. It had to be established.
What leather do you like the most?: I enjoy working with any type. Of course, some are more challenging to work with, for instance, the very tough ray skin. Most often, I use classic types such as cowskin or calfskin. From time to time, a customer has a special request such as crocodile skin.
What are your key skills?: Endurance, humbleness and will power. It's important to have a vision and to stick to it. Being open-minded and learning new things is essential. When I look at the younger generations, I'm a bit concerned; they seem to believe that several YouTube courses make you a master.

Michal Pavlas is an expert artisan he began his career in 1990