june-2012

ARTISAN
DAN
McGILL
“ Nature’s
geometry is
a constant
inspiration
to me
”
Clients should visit him at least once for a
fi tting and, owing to the many processes
involved, an order can take up to two
months to complete. Don’t be deterred,
though: Dwyer ships orders all over the
world including to the US, UK and Asia.
Prices begin at AU$500 (S$648). Dwyer
says his shoes are “a substantial investment,
but they’re a worthwhile investment, and
the time involved is well justifi ed by the
longevity of the shoes as well as the comfort
factor”. In comparison to mass-produced
varieties, handmade shoes off er a better fi t,
a higher level of comfort, more interesting
designs, and much better quality materials
including full leather, not synthetic, linings.
“Most of my customers own their shoes for
5-10 years minimum,” says Dwyer. “So my
work does tend to be quirky or classical. If
I get it right, my customers fall in love with
their shoes.”
Resident at the Nicholas Building for
the past 12 years, jewellery designer Dan
McGill specialises in casting
in silver and gold, often in the
shape of natural objects. McGill
makes rings, earrings, pendants,
brooches and cuffl inks using a
traditional technique known as
‘lost wax casting’. This involves
sculpting an original design by
hand, making a copy in wax, then
creating a mould from plaster and
burning out the wax before fi lling
it with molten metal.
“Nature’s geometry is a constant
inspiration to me,” he says. His
favourite motif is the sea urchin,
which he uses in many diff erent
variations, although he also works
with shell, seed-pod and leaf
designs, casting them and often
setting them with precious stones.
RETAIL THERAPY //
ARTISAN
EMMA
GRACE
“ There’s
something
so special
about a
handmade
object
”
071