Bodrums own Sandal Maker

Since 1966 the man who makes sandals for the world is surrounded by piles of cardboard cut outs of measurements of feet and leather cut outs and semi finished sandals in his small council provided work shop in Bodrum while he works.
Ali Guven is a youthful looking man of 68 years who produces non perspirant sandals (consisting of a naturally treated leather sole secured to the ankles by strips of leather). He has made many of these shoes for famous people such as Mick Jagger and his family, Bette Midler and many famous Turkish artists.
His first encounter of shoe making started at Mustafas Ustas workshop when he was in grade four. He started work as a trainee shoe maker the same year and has been making shoes ever since then.
With his fame in sandal making and handsome looks it turned him into a phenomenon.
Unfortunately in 2005 he had an operation which meant that most of his work was left, but he returned to pick up from where he left off and continued taking orders in the summer and sending the sandals in winter time to the customers.
Ali Guven is rich in heart but his bank account is empty because he likes to share what he has with others. He has received an award from Mugla City because of his contributions to tourism within the last 25 years and a letter from the USA praising his work.
Ali Guven carries out his work with great passion, the master for sandal making suggests the reason behind his success lies in the originality and non perspirant nature of the naturally treated leather he uses and adds “when tanning and actually making the sandals, no machinery or chemicals are used.”
One day Ali Guven would like to see a museum for his sandals as he knows that there is a lack of interest by young people to learn the craft and he would like the trade to be recognised and remembered.

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