Asian manufacturing is moving very fast in the world of shoes. Each month, I am discovering new brands that come out of either Vietnam, India, or China. And the reality is that each one appears to want to outdo the next. It is fierce competition out there, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Twinkima.G shoes are the latest of the great Chinese hand-welted offerings that I have discovered, and I dare say that they will be one to contend with.
The Brand
The brand was born in Beijing in 2019 with the vision to offer classic dress shoes aimed at the ‘modern man’ in China. They first focused on their local market, growing rapidly in popularity and quickly creating a cult-like following of loyal customers. In 2025, they made a big push into the world market, first by attending the London Super Trunk Show, exposing the brand in person, but also by updating their E-commerce site for international delivery. They are eager to grow, and for good reason; they offer a great product.
The Collections
Twinkima.G owns their production outright and offers four different collections as a way to efficiently utilize leather and be able to offer low price points in the various categories (except the sneakers, which have a high price tag):
- The Hand-Welted Collection – Priced from $599-$699
- The Blake Stitch Collection – Priced currently at $349
- The Espadrilles – Normally $349 but currently on sale for $269
- The Sneakers – Priced from $349-$395
The Details
Twinkima.G shoes have their own unique look about them. It almost reminds me of Riccardo Bestetti as they have very sharp, defined lasts that some might perceive as ‘aggressive.’ It gives them a look not too similar to their competitors. Their designs, while surely inspired by history, also have subtle twists that make them uniquely their own. The half penny/half tassel model is a great example of this.
Their pricing is very competitive and in line with what many of their competitors offer. But they have details that the others do not. They finish the soles more intricately. They have brass-plated toe taps on each pair. They use Vibram-branded heel top lifts. They have pitched and slanted (inside cut) heels. And all hand-welted and blake-stitched shoes are hand-lasted. The one curious fact that I noticed is that they do not offer beveled waists. They have purposely left those squared off, but they are thin and shaped with purpose.
The Verdict
Having held Twinkima.G shoes in person, I can say that they are a great addition to the world of dress shoes. They offer a unique look that I think needed filling after Bestetti’s passing and feel that their cult-like following in Beijing will quickly spread across the planet. Their pricing is hard to beat and one gets a good return on that investment.
Do stay tuned as I will soon unbox not only a pair from the Hand-Welted collection, but also a pair of the Espadrilles
Learn more here: https://twinkimag.com/
—Justin FitzPatrick, The Shoe Snob
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