Let's spread the love of
everything shoes and shoemaking.

Brooklyn Shoe Space is a hub for shoemakers and leather workers. We offer both in-person classes and online classes.

Space

A great makers’ classroom space. You'll find all the basic equipment that you'll need to make a pair of shoes such as 5-in-1, high post machines, zig-zag machine, skiver, finishers, glue stations. It is a space for students to be creative, make a mess, and make shoes!

Supply

Shoe supply store by Shoemakers, housed at Brooklyn Shoe Space. For your e-learning experience, or in-person course, we can help you with shoemaking tools and supplies that you need.

School

We offer both in-person and e-learning courses for cement- constructed shoes. We look forward to seeing your creations!

We've shared the space with...

  • 3.1 Philip Lim
    Adidas
    AldoAntonia Saint NY
    BCNY International
    Bonobos
    Caleres
    Camuto Group
    Coach
    COCKTAIL SNEAKERS
    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
    Inkerman
    JBF CUSTOMS
    Jefferson University
    K-Swiss
    LAS ISLEÑAS
    LASTMAKER HOUSE
    Lauren Manoogian
    Magnus Alpha
    Marc Fischer
    MARCEL MRSAN
    MARIO BEMER
    mICHAEL GREY SANDAL FACTORY
    Nene Shoes
    New Balance
    Niconine
    Nike
    NORIYUKI MISAWA


  • NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN
    PATAGONIA
    PRATT INSTITUTE
    R/GA
    Sam Edelman
    SEVILLA SMITH
    SHOE SURGEON
    Steve Madden
    Synclaire Brands 
    THANDO'S
    The Met
    Theory
    Tommy Hilfiger
    United Nations
    Veerah Shoes
    Vibram
    Vida Group
    Visionquest Shoes
    ZouXou
    and more...

Founder: Keiko

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! The quest to find a unique pair for her unique feet sent her into the Shoemaking Journey she is still on today.

Keiko began making shoes in 2003 through independent studies with different teachers. 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—an opportunity to learn from different instructors while practicing her craft; a space where she and others could make big messes without messing up their tiny NYC apartments. She saw wood workshops and metal fabricators sharing large equipment as a collective and wanted the same for shoemakers and leather workers.

While working full-time in the fashion and footwear industry, she acquired a space that she began filling with tools, equipment, and machinery to make shoes quicker and cleaner. She didn't use the studio space enough, so she spread the word to others, and little by little, shoemakers and leather workers came out of the woods to share the space. As the group continued to grow, so did the establishment. In 2013, Keiko decided to move to a bigger space to house everyone more comfortably, and with more machinery to share, Brooklyn Shoe Space was formed. 

In 2020, due to Covid, the Roebling Street Storefront co-working location closed its doors. December of 2020, it is moving to a new home in Brooklyn, and hosting small group classes and private classes. 

Explore our online shoemaking courses!

We can't wait to see your creations!