EXPOSURE TRIP Shoe stores visited by Henry Sy Sr. in the 1950s
In the late 1950s, a small shoe store called Shoemart opened in the bustling shopping district of Rizal Avenue in downtown Manila. While this is a well-known chapter in SM history, few realize that one shoe brand—Parisian—grew alongside Shoemart, marking a significant milestone in the legacy of its founder, Henry Sy Sr., also fondly called “Tatang.”
Harley Sy, executive director of SM Investments and co-vice chair of SM Retail, shares this interesting piece of history, “Shoemart was established in October 1958 and my father’s shoe brand Parisian for ladies was also established in 1958, born from his travels abroad in search of quality footwear for Filipinos. His obsession with shoes was well known; he believed that comfortable, well-fitting shoes should be an affordable aspiration for everyone.”
The name Parisian reflects Tatang’s admiration for European craftsmanship, symbolized by the iconic Eiffel Tower that adorned the original shoebox design. Harley describes how his father’s journey mirrors not only the evolution of a brand but also his growth as a retail visionary.
“In his travels to Boston, which was the shoe capital of the world then, he sought out shoe agents for showroom samples. It was daunting for him to navigate the shoe trading houses, speaking limited English. But many of them eventually started selling to my dad since he was buying in bulk. These were typically small sizes that would fit Filipino feet, leading to his shoe trading venture,” he explains.
During the heydey of the local industry in the 1950s and 1960s, Tatang engaged with Marikina’s shoe manufacturers. Harley fondly recalls that he would hear about his father sampling shoes at the Carriedo store after office hours from 10 o’clock in the evening to 12 midnight.
Shoemart (Parisian) top view
Craftsmanship and comfort
It was during the 1980s that Harley worked with his father closely at the store and understood more about the anatomy of a shoe. To illustrate this vital lesson, Harley picks up his casual office shoes. He makes a reverse L sign with his thumb, index and middle fingers and inserts them just above the insole. “Look for the middle part of your finger. The counter of your shoe, or the back part that gives support, should end there at the middle part,” he says, explaining a practical indicator of shoe comfort.
“This was a learning experience that forged my appreciation for detail and hard work,” he says.
“Tatang would closely look at the shape and fit of every shoe. He would even get a white-tipped drawing pencil or chalk and point to the parts of the shoe that needed to be corrected. These were very important,” Harley says. “Comfort was paramount. My father had an innate ability to assess fit and quality. He could identify flaws just by looking at a shoe.”
This meticulous attention to detail had been passed down through the generations and all the merchandisers learned from Sy. “Tatang had the eye of a master shoe craftsman, honed through years of listening to customers and nurturing his passion for shoes,” Harley notes.
Sy visiting Boston circa 1960s —Contributed photos
Aspiration, adaptation and evolution
As Sy developed his shoe brand, he envisioned a transformation in retail. Inspired by the emergence of department stores and malls in the United States, he was always a step ahead as he introduced innovations that laid the blueprint for SM’s growth. “Shoemart was the first shoe store in Carriedo to have air conditioning, creating an inviting environment that drew customers in,” Harley explains.
Today, Parisian shoes and bags remain staples at all SM stores, continuously updated to reflect contemporary styles. Since its inception, the SM Store has sold millions of pairs of Parisian shoes.
Felanie Lim, Shoes and Bags senior vice president, elaborates, “We decided to expand Parisian to offer new, high-quality choices while maintaining attractive price points. With categories like Parisian Comfy, Parisian Plus, and our premium line, Parisian Limited, we adapt to evolving market demands.”
The brand has an inventory of thousands of styles to ensure there’s something for everyone.
The relevance of the Parisian brand is seen rooted in its ability to inspire, adapt and evolve. Harley emphasizes, “Innovation is key to staying relevant. The market is always changing, and we must evolve with it. Tatang was a constant innovator, reinventing himself—from shoes to department stores, malls, specialty stores and to what SM is today. We will continue to adapt to the market’s aspirations.”
The Parisian brand is seen as a testament to the enduring spirit of SM’s business and poised to meet the aspirations of future generations. —Contributed