Umeboshi (oo-meh-boh-shee) is a boutique located in the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood of Vancouver. Founded in 2005 by owner Stephanie Gorrell, Umeboshi has come to be known for quality goods, thoughtful customer service and a discerning selection of footwear and accessories. Focusing on independent & handcrafted wares, Umeboshi’s ideals stem from the appreciation of beautiful & functional design, as well as a great respect for craftsmanship. Here each piece has a history to share, and it is our joy to muse on it with you.

Renowned for the glove shoe, footwear designer Martiniano Lopez Crozet happened up on a cult following after a fairly unusual foray into the fashion world. He spent 16 years as part of a performance art duo before designing a sleek, ballet flat-like shoe for men using the same Italian kid leather favored by Salvatore Ferragamo. The cool silhouette was adopted by women and the rest, as they say, is history.