Out Of Office: Ming Yew, Young Modern Cobbler And Skateboarder
In this edition: a 24-year-old Singaporean skateboarder who turned an unexpected introduction to shoe repair into a career as a modern cobbler, while building a community through skating on the side.
Out Of Office is a new series that follows Singaporeans who’ve logged off the standard career script to chase their own versions of success – consider this a study of work, ambition and life beyond the default settings.
WHO: Ming Yew, 24, skateboarder and cobbler at Singaporean shoe repair and customisation company Classified Footwear.
WHAT HE DOES: By day, Ming works on everything from shoe repairs and resoles to custom jobs and full rebuilds at Classified Footwear, which was founded by his brother, Klingsmen. Outside the workshop, he runs Hard2Find, a skate-focused project that has evolved from a streetwear brand into a platform for building skate obstacles and organising events for Singapore’s skateboarding community.
WHY KNOW HIM: Before finding his footing as a cobbler, Ming dabbled in everything from modelling and GrabFood delivery to various skateboarding-related gigs. Shoe repair wasn’t exactly part of the original career plan either. He first started helping his brother film and edit content for Classified Footwear, which was then a home-based operation. As he spent more time around the work, he began to take an interest in the craft itself.
After serving his National Service, he decided to learn the trade properly. Now, when he’s not grinding rails or putting miles on his board, you’ll probably find him in their workshop surrounded by shoes, glue and a whole lot of tools, giving worn-out footwear a second life.
Meanwhile, his skate project Hard2Find has taken a similarly DIY route. What started as a streetwear brand eventually evolved into something less focused on apparel and more geared towards building obstacles and bringing skaters together. Here, Ming talks about finding a career in an unexpected place, turning his passion for skateboarding into a way of giving back to the community, and learning to be comfortable with failing along the way.
How did you first get into shoe repair and cobbling, and what made you decide to pursue it as your main trade?
Ming Yew (MY): “Shoe repair wasn’t something I set out to do. My brother Klingsmen had founded Classified Footwear and was working out of home, so I’d come by to film and edit content for him. Somewhere between shooting and cutting those videos, I started actually paying attention to the work, the details, the before and after, all the possibilities with a pair of shoes. After NS, he asked if I wanted to learn the trade properly, and I said yes. That’s how my journey as a cobbler started.”
At Classified Footwear, you describe yourselves as a “modern cobbler”. What makes what you do different from the traditional shoe repair shop?
MY: “The traditional cobbler fixes worn out soles. We do that too, but we also customise sneakers, rebuild boots, [and] reshape what a pair can be. To us, shoes are creative extensions of who we are, so every job starts with understanding the shoes, the person wearing them, and what they’re worn for. There’s a sustainable side to it as well. Giving a pair a second life is a quiet rebellion against fast fashion.”
What does a typical day in the workshop look like?
MY: “Shoes everywhere, and the smell of glue, haha. We work on multiple pairs at once, juggling tasks like gluing, removing old soles, and prepping new ones. It’s a demanding job, but it’s also rewarding to see a pair of shoes transformed.”
Does your background as a skateboarder influence the way you approach your work at Classified Footwear in unexpected ways?
MY: “Skateboarding teaches you to try and try again. To be persistent, put in the hours, practice consistently, because mastering anything takes time. It’s showing up every day and embracing the struggles and imperfections along the way.”
Tell us about Hard2Find. You originally started it as a streetwear brand, but eventually moved towards building skate obstacles and organising events. What prompted that shift?
MY: “I liked making clothes, but I didn’t really have a goal for it, I was just doing it for fun. Eventually I realised it wasn’t sustainable, and honestly, we don’t really need another clothing brand in Singapore.
I’ve always been a huge fan of Dime. They’re a skate apparel company that also runs contests, and they always have really unique obstacles. I find it super sick that they can get skaters from all around the world together to just enjoy skateboarding. It made me want to bring that energy here.
Then I met a guy named Hass, who was organising the opening of the Bishan Skate Spot. He reached out because he’d heard I was into building obstacles, and he offered me the chance to host my first event. I built my first obstacle with a few skaters, and we got both new and old faces to come down. That was the moment I realised what I actually love about doing events, getting people together to enjoy skateboarding.”
You’ve gone from taking on whatever gigs you could find to building a career around a skilled trade and your own creative projects. What are the realities people don’t see about taking an unconventional career path?
MY: “Taking this path means there’s no fixed system to fall back on. No steady paycheck. Income depends on how many hours I put in, and the work is physically demanding. But I get full control of my creative freedom and right now, I’d take that over comfort.”
What’s the most rewarding part about what you do?
MY: “Helping customers find solutions and extend the life of their favourite shoes. Most of the time, making them hold up longer, more comfortable and improving their functionality.”
Describe your personal style in three words:
MY: “Functional, unrestricted and comfortable.”
Do you have any advice for young people who feel like they don’t have one obvious career choice yet?
MY: “Don’t be afraid to try something just because you’re afraid you’ll be bad at it. As cheesy as it sounds, get used to failing, as failure will usually help you get a step closer to success. Experience won’t be gained by waiting, so take on opportunities while you still have the freedom to fail and try.”
What’s next for you? Any exciting upcoming plans?
MY: “I’ve been putting in the hours and showing up every day to improve my craft, there’s still so much for me to learn in this industry. Classified Footwear is relocating next year too, so I’m looking forward to that. As for Hard2Find, I’m definitely keen on building more obstacles and organising more skate events for the community.”
Classified Footwear is located at 61 Ubi Road 1, #03-12, Singapore 408727, and is open for walk-ins from Wednesday to Saturday, 1pm to 6pm. Follow them on Instagram for updates on their latest repairs, custom work and projects.