Let’s just say that Evan’s love of fixing things really started from a very young age. Probably at the time when he started annoying his dad and grandfathers in their wood and engineering workshops. They just needed to keep him busy with nails and a hammer. Evan now has over 25 years of hands-on experience in leatherwork under his belt.

The journey properly began in 2000 at Gregory’s Footwear Repairs, in the bottom corner of the Opera House. Evan was trained by a meticulous, perfectionist shoemaker; Mr Greg Zaloumis. Evan started Artisan Leathersmiths in 2011 when he took over the shoe and bag repair shop at 56 Ghuznee Street. At the time, it was called Rupal’s and it was owned by Mr and Mrs Chauhan. The shop was renamed Ghuznee Street Shoe & Bag Repairs in 2011. Evan is the shop’s fourth owner. It has been operating as a shoe repair shop since 1938.

Perceiving a customer demand for high-quality products made in New Zealand, and after getting fed up with repairing vinyl and cardboard monstrosities claiming to be belts, in 2025 Evan started his leather workshop in the heart of Cuba Street, called Upstairs Misanthrope.

If you would like to order a custom-made belt, you can do so by meeting with Evan directly at his shop at 56 Ghuznee Street. The turn-around time is about 2 to 3 days. His quality, custom leather belts are also for sale at the shop. Custom belts retail from NZ$180.