Shoes are an essential part of completing an outfit. But for some women, especially those with wider feet, finding the perfect Cinderella fit isn’t always a fairytale. While many shoes are still designed with a narrow ideal in mind, those who don’t fit the mould often face pinched toes, aching arches and the constant need to compromise between style and comfort.

With these concerns in mind, one Malaysian woman made it her mission to create comfortable yet stylish handmade shoes for women with wider feet, while maintaining an affordable price tag.

From retail to shoemaking

Before creating her own shoe brand, Nur Farah Izzati, also known as Fara, had humble beginnings. She was involved in small-scale retail and helped her family sell mass-produced shoes at local bazaars. It was there that Fara was exposed to customer behaviour, pricing realities and what women are actually looking for when buying shoes, especially when comfort becomes a non-negotiable need.

Fara shared that while helping her mother, she saw how many women struggled to find shoes that fit comfortably, particularly those with wider feet. She recalls watching customers try on pair after pair, only to walk away disappointed.

Image Credit: Faramore

Her inspiration was also drawn from a personal experience during her pregnancy, when Fara noticed her feet becoming wider, more sensitive and prone to blisters.

Despite having no formal background in fashion or design, it didn’t stop Fara from recognising a real problem that needed a solution.

“I entered the shoemaking business purely out of necessity and lived experience. I didn’t have formal training at the beginning." 

"Everything was learned hands-on through trial and error, working closely with artisans and listening to customers. Over time, that practical learning became my strongest foundation,” she said.

Image Credit: Faramore

The name of her shoe brand, Faramore, comes from “Fara Amore”. According to Fara, the name can be translated to “Sincerely, Fara,” reflecting the idea that every pair of shoes is a personal offering made with care, honesty and intention.

“I want Faramore to feel like a heartfelt signature—something that represents sincerity, empathy and thoughtfulness. The brand is a reflection of my own journey and values. Every design is made with genuine consideration for the women who wear them.”

The process behind creating a Faramore shoe

Creating something from scratch is never a walk in the park, as many processes happen behind the scenes. At Faramore, each pair starts with design sketches and fit testing. Fara works closely with skilled artisans who translate the designs into patterns and prototypes.

Image Credit: Faramore

“We typically use soft, lightweight materials to reduce pressure points. From cutting to stitching and finishing, the process involves multiple hands and can take several days for one pair, depending on the complexity."

"Since Faramore is still a small, close-knit team, I’m personally involved in almost every part of the brand—from design decisions and material selection to customer communication and quality control. Being hands-on allows me to ensure every pair truly reflects our values," she shared.

While shifting towards mass production could allow Faramore’s products to reach the market faster, it also comes with certain risks.

“Handmade production allows better quality control and ensures comfort isn’t compromised. Mass production often prioritises speed and cost, but for Faramore, the human touch is essential. It’s the only way to stay true to what the brand stands for,” Fara said.

For many women with wider feet, the challenge goes beyond finding the right fit—it’s also about finding something stylish.

While those with smaller or narrower feet often enjoy a wide selection of trendy designs, wide-feet-friendly shoes are frequently limited to basic or practical styles. This imbalance has long left many feeling that comfort comes at the expense of aesthetics, reinforcing the idea that fashionable choices are reserved for a narrower standard that doesn’t reflect every woman’s reality.

Image Credit: Faramore

As a shoemaker, Fara strongly believes that comfort and style don’t have to cancel each other out.

“The challenge lies in proportions, materials and detailing. I design with softness, structure and subtle feminine elements in mind so the shoes look refined but feel forgiving. It takes more effort, but it’s worth it,” she explained.

The challenges and the rewards that follow

For Fara, understanding shoe fit was the most important yet most difficult skill to master when she first started her brand and it’s something she continues to learn to this day.

“A shoe can look beautiful but fail if the fit is wrong. I’m constantly refining this, especially for wide-fit proportions, because every foot is different,” she said.

Image Credit: Faramore

When it comes to running the business, one of the biggest challenges is scaling without losing quality. Fara also shared that she constantly has to balance time-consuming production processes, customer expectations and affordability.

Despite the hurdles, there is a deeply rewarding side to it all, hearing customers say that Faramore’s shoes have improved their daily lives.

“Hearing customers say they can finally wear shoes all day without pain is the most rewarding part. Knowing that something I created genuinely improves someone’s daily life is incredibly fulfilling.”

What does the future look like for Faramore?

Image Credit: Faramore

Like many business owners, Fara envisions her shoe brand growing in the future, but in a meaningful way.

“I see Faramore growing thoughtfully—not necessarily becoming huge, but becoming more meaningful. I want to expand our designs while staying true to our core values: comfort, inclusivity and craftsmanship,” she said.

Faramore’s shoes are priced between RM75 and RM85 per pair. Those interested can purchase them via the brand’s official website or visit their store in Cyberjaya, Selangor.

Faramore
Address: Street Mall Cyberjaya, Persiaran Multimedia, Cyberjaya, 63000, Sepang, Selangor
Website: https://faramore.my/
Instagram: @faramoremy

Featured Image Credit: Faramore