The Singaporean shoemaker who crafts bespoke shoes under his own label
After graduating from university in London, Tor moved to Japan and trained under shoemaking masters, including Noriyuki Misawa and Yohei Fukuda.
From them, he learnt that true craftsmanship means refining every curve, every stitch – even the invisible ones.
Each bespoke Fumu shoe bears a hidden sakura motif – a nod to the impermanence of life, and the Japanese philosophy of kaizen that Tor now lives by.
From clumsy first attempts to gallery-worthy pieces, Tor's path has been shaped by quiet persistence and a willingness to begin again, shoe by shoe. Pictured on the left is Tor's first handmade Oxford shoe.
After nearly a decade abroad, Cheng Yao returned to Singapore earlier this year to launch Fumu.
Each bespoke pair from Fumu takes up to 130 hours to make, beginning with hand measurements and a wooden last carved to the client's foot. The wait? Up to a year.
Tor hopes to build a small, sustainable shoemaking industry in Singapore. "In Singapore, we're taught to follow a certain path: Study hard, get a good job. But my time in Japan showed me there are other ways to live," he said.
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The Singaporean shoemaker who crafts bespoke shoes under his own label
What began as a student's curiosity in London became a decade-long journey into the world of handcrafted men's shoes for Singaporean Tor Cheng Yao. After graduating from university in London, Tor moved to Japan and trained under shoemaking masters, including Noriyuki Misawa and Yohei Fukuda. From them, he learnt that true craftsmanship means refining every curve, every stitch – even the invisible ones. Each bespoke Fumu shoe bears a hidden sakura motif – a nod to the impermanence of life, and the Japanese philosophy of kaizen that Tor now lives by. From clumsy first attempts to gallery-worthy pieces, Tor's path has been shaped by quiet persistence and a willingness to begin again, shoe by shoe. Pictured on the left is Tor's first handmade Oxford shoe. After nearly a decade abroad, Cheng Yao returned to Singapore earlier this year to launch Fumu. Each bespoke pair from Fumu takes up to 130 hours to make, beginning with hand measurements and a wooden last carved to the client's foot. The wait? Up to a year. Tor hopes to build a small, sustainable shoemaking industry in Singapore. "In Singapore, we're taught to follow a certain path: Study hard, get a good job. But my time in Japan showed me there are other ways to live," he said. Next Story
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Living in Sweden for nearly four years has likewise deepened Ms Huang's appreciation for Singapore's healthcare systems. In part due to the long waits and language barrier, her visits to the doctor have left much to be desired. "Most of the doctors cannot speak English and they just seem to prescribe paracetamol for everything. Sometimes, it is frustrating when I cannot get the help I need," she said. She added that in Sweden, commuting to work costs about five times more than in Singapore. The high cost of living, coupled with steep taxes and rent, can sometimes offset any pay bump that comes with a job offer in Europe. All things considered, Ms Huang admitted that she would have been better off financially in Singapore, with Central Provident Fund contributions and no rent to pay while living with her parents. "At the end of the day, you have to remember why you chose to work abroad. If you are not ready to give up wealth accumulation, I would suggest staying put in Singapore because it is a place that supports financial growth," she advised. Being far from family is also a lonely experience. When a loved one fell ill back home, Ms Atikah felt helpless, able to do little more than send care packages. During Hari Raya this year, Mr Ruzaini came to the bittersweet realisation again that he had missed out on his sister's teenage years. This sense of isolation can feel more pronounced in Scandinavia, where people tend to be reserved and the clear divide between work and personal life means that colleagues rarely become friends. Long winters further dampen the desire to socialise and can trigger seasonal blues. During this time, even the simple routine of heading home after work serves as a stark reminder to Ms Huang that she is alone and far from home. "In Singapore, there are people on the streets and it's noisy in a comforting way. When I go home here, it's sometimes silent and completely dark." NOT THE SAME PERSON WHO LEFT With so much downtime and so few connections, the expats were forced to reflect on who they are outside of work – something they rarely had to consider when life in Singapore revolved almost entirely around their jobs. For Ms Luah, who worked such long hours previously in Singapore that her life was "pretty much planned" out for her, she had to think about what leisure means and how to fill her days with greater purpose. "Now I'm forced to think about how to spend my time. Should I doom-scroll on social media or do something constructive? "I think it's very healthy for you to understand your relationship with the world and learn how you want to shape your life. It does help you to become someone with more agency." Living abroad also provided a professional reset. Ms Luah realised that the Asian mindset of crossing every "t" and dotting every '"i" may not always pay off in the West. Hard work goes hand in hand with opportunity and honing soft skills such as networking is just as important. "It helped me to understand that there are many ways to reach your aspirations," she added. For some of the expats, their experiences have prompted a rethink of the Singaporean blueprint for success. By observing her colleagues, Ms Atikah began to discover other definitions of a life well-lived, such as raising children in a suburban home with a garden and trampoline, and spending weekends with them at the beach. 'There is more visibility of people choosing other ways of life here and that makes me realise there are different ways of being successful," she said. For others, this shuffle in priorities can bring unexpected tension. Back in Singapore, Ms Huang always had her eyes set on the next promotion at work. These days, her mind drifts to upcoming snowboarding trips and summer holidays, and she is still figuring out how to balance her drive to have a successful career with a slower pace of life. "In school and at work, I used to try and outdo myself every year. Now I just chill with whatever comes and I don't know how to feel about that. Why do I feel like I'm being lazy?" Naturally, the thought of readjusting to life in Singapore can be an unsettling one. Mr Ruzaini believes that time away from the "rat race" has given him the self-awareness and confidence to chart his own course, rather than simply going with the flow. However, four years into life in France, he admitted that it still did not quite feel like home. "When the time comes, we will move back to Singapore in a heartbeat. It's still my homeland and I still want to retire and be buried there." Ms Luah, on the other hand, sees herself returning if she becomes a parent one day, so that her children can be part of Singapore's school system, which she holds in high regard. She credited its strong emphasis on bilingualism for opening doors in both her and her husband's careers. She also said that the education system has its merits despite being much-criticised for its over-emphasis on academic achievements and students having unhealthy and high levels of stress. "Competition will always be there, but it gives you a sense of where you stand among your peers. If you can come to terms with what you are not good at early in life, you can move on to other options," she added. For Ms Huang, fulfilling her dream of working in Sweden has led to deeper reflection, pondering questions that her younger self never considered, including the broader impact of her work. "Sometimes, when I'm working, I wonder who I am serving. If I'm solving problems, I want to solve them for Singaporeans. If I have to pay taxes, I want them to go to my people," she said. Ultimately, she sees that there are two types of Singaporeans who move abroad: Those who cannot wait to get out, and those who move because an opportunity arises and end up seeing Singapore in a new light.
