Richard Aphery, a 31-year-old Nigerian, moved to Germany a few years ago in search of a market for the luxury shoes he makes with precision and class. He opened up about the job market in the foreign country and revealed how much he earns per pair, which takes him weeks to make. The shoemaker also shared his ambition to open a school in Nigeria one day to teach people the art of shoemaking.
Richard Aphery, a master shoemaker, combines sustainable values with modern design to create bespoke shoes built to last. His work challenges outdated stereotypes of the profession, appealing to clients seeking quality, durability, and ethical consumption over fast fashion. Each custom-made pair involves hundreds of meticulous steps and weeks of labor, reflecting a growing demand for slow, repairable fashion in Germany. Yet beyond craftsmanship, Richard’s story touches on identity, migration, and the realities of building a life and a business in Germany — and why he may eventually move on.
