About Jasmine Martins

Hi, I’m Jasmine Martins, and my passion for footwear began when I was a child. My journey into the world of shoes started in the summer of 2015, between my first and second year at George Brown College, where I was studying Fashion Design and Technique. That summer, I took a small pump-making class at a local workshop, Art and Sole Academy. I fell in love with the hands-on experience and wanted to learn more.

Soon after, I enrolled in a two-month summer course at the University of the Arts London (UAL), St. Martins campus. Living in London was a dream come true, and during the course, I quickly realized that shoemaking was my calling. I was eager to chase that feeling forever.

After London, I attended Arsutoria in Milan, Italy, where I completed their three-month shoe pattern-making and prototyping course, followed by a one-month intensive pattern-making course. Pattern-making became my favourite part of shoemaking because it’s the foundation of bringing a design to life. You can envision the most beautiful or outrageous shoes, but without the skills to draft patterns, they remain just ideas.

After Arsutoria, I returned home and began a year-long internship with a local Cordwainer. There, I honed my bespoke crafting skills, such as modifying lasts to fit clients perfectly. I learned a lot about custom footwear, working directly with clients, and further refining my craftsmanship. Following the internship, I returned to Arsutoria to take a 3D shoe design course and a sneaker pattern-making course.

Armed with this extensive training, I came home eager to start my career. However, the universe had other plans. In early 2020, just as I began job hunting and had a few promising interviews lined up, the pandemic hit. The uncertainty and lockdowns put everything on hold.

Despite the setbacks, I kept myself busy by updating my portfolio, designing, and applying my skills. When the job market fell short, I decided to take a leap of faith and start my own business. In the summer of 2020, Jasmine Martins Footwear was born.

I began with a small three-design sandal collection, which was a hit. Shortly after, I secured a studio in the east end of the city and launched my second collection: colorful mules and classic loafers. Over time, this collection expanded to include custom colour options, where clients could choose their own palette. Eventually, this led to bespoke custom shoes, allowing clients to create one-of-a-kind designs tailored to their unique preferences and perfect fit. I ensured that no two bespoke shoes were ever the same, making each creation truly special.

As the business evolved, so did my offerings. Today, I provide freelance designing, teaching, and a select range of shoe repairs. I’m excited to continue this journey, working on exciting projects, collaborating with new clients, exploring more freelance opportunities, and creating fresh collections.

If you have a fun idea for a new project, I’d love to hear from you!

Thank you for taking the time to read about my journey so far.

All the best,
Jasmine Martins