After nearly a decade honing his skills overseas, the 34-year-old returned to Singapore earlier this year to launch Fumu, a bespoke men’s footwear label that applies traditional hand-welted shoemaking techniques to modern, wearable styles. The brand retails online, and Tor works out of a shared studio in Tai Seng, where customers can book appointments to be fitted and discuss their shoes in person.
AN UNCONVENTIONAL PATH
“Like my peers, I did apply to jobs at investment banks, etc,” he admitted with a laugh. “But I was never really serious about it, and I think the banks knew my heart wasn’t in it.”
Instead, it was in shoes – or more precisely, in the quiet, intricate art of making them. What began as a curiosity sparked by internet browsing evolved into a deep interest in traditional shoemaking methods, particularly Goodyear-welted construction. “The idea that you could repair and restore a shoe rather than throw it out really resonated with me,” he shared.
Working part-time at heritage shoemaker Joseph Cheaney & Sons, Tor immersed himself in the arcane world of fine British footwear. He learned how to polish leather to a mirror shine, evaluate fit, and what separated a well-made shoe from a merely good-looking one. On a student budget, he even invested in a few classic pairs – not just to wear, but to study.
