(That's shanghai)
Updated: 2007-02-12 10:35

Living in China, you might think that tossing the thimble to a street-corner tailor and having them create the design of your dreams is easy - but results are more often than not a nightmare. While that experience is all too familiar to frustrated fabric fashionistas, Shanghai's leather trade boasts a handful of workshops and ateliers who handcraft each detail with incredible attention. With the result that you may stomp the streets in custom-made designs and proudly declare your outfit is 'Made in Shanghai'. But be forewarned, once you go custom, there's no going back.

Yapsh

Yapsh owner Huang Yishan is obsessed with all things cowboy, which is not as odd as it may seem as China has become the Wild West of the East. Of course, those classic Durango cowboy boots are made here anyway. You can buy the iconic boots or, better yet, have Yapsh stitch you the whole rodeo ensemble - warm leather pants with exposed cross-stitching, shearling vests and biker jacket, all customized and made to order. OK, so you are more likely to ride a bike than a horse, but what's life without a little fantasy?

601 Yongjia Lu and 98 Jiangsu Lu (2826 0143)

Tree

This tiny leather shop on Wulumuqi Lu is stuffed with beautiful handmade bags, shoes, wallets and belts, leaving barely enough room for more than two customers at a time. Tree's owner, Yan Feng, is as happy to wile away the afternoon hours in conversation as he is to personally stitch you a customized bag. Indeed, everything here is intimate, from the store's homemade decor to the minimalist bags. Tree has other iddy biddy outposts around the city, run by Yan's siblings.

126 Wulumuqi Lu (6467 1758)

Viva Design

Spent your entire life searching for that perfect leather jacket? Look no further than Viva, where the lovely Vivian will guide you through her rack of samples and help you personalize any style you like. She's on track with all leather trends, from luscious lamb to a rugged wash, and will add delicate trimmings, linings, pockets and fur to taste. No ounce of quality is spared and all items purchased receive a yearly beauty treatment to ensure a lifetime of luxury. Leather fashion bags and belts are also sold.

Rm 117, Bldg 3, Lane 200 Taikang Lu (5465 7072,www.viva-leather.com)

Billy Wang's

Five years after opening shop in Shanghai, business has grown so fast - 600 pairs of customized shoes a month - that Billy is expanding across the country. Catering mostly to foreigners and their large feet, a visit to Billy's spares shoe fetishists a costly trip abroad. In fact, many customers routinely place orders by phone after they've left China. Men's shoes are exquisitely crafted, while women's retain that stylish touch. And prices are reasonable too.

1238 Changle Lu (130 6167 0957)