PORTFOLIO
Stepping back in time through my early stages of footwear craftsmanship.
Each stitch and detail tells a story of passion, dedication, and the artistry that shaped my journey.
MY VERY FIRST PAIR
In 2018, I decided to venture into unchartered territory by creating my first pair of handcrafted footwear during a 2-week shoemaking intensive course in Toronto.
Since I'd created a seemingly complex design for my first project, I was immediately thrown into deep waters, but this gave me the opportunity to learn a number of useful skills that I would hold dear for years to come.
From understanding the anatomy of footwear to pattern drafting and fabric selections, this journey opened my eyes to the endless possibilities when design meets applied knowledge.
Each step of the process was truly fulfilling, and being able to actualize a concept from start to finish felt rejuvenating to my inner being.
The lasting process demanded the most out of me because of the many layers involved, but at this stage, I could already get a feel of what the final outcome would be.
After lasting all components of my upper to the insole, my time at the studio had come to an end so my last day was spent creating my heels and learning how to properly attach them to my shoes.
I ended up having to figure out the final stages of my creative process during fittings and modifications at home, and researching information at any point that I felt stuck.
ET VOILA
The finished look of my hard work, consistency, and determination. The first pair I ever handcrafted.
I call her– The Rebel
RED SLING
Shortly after my 2-week shoemaking intensive, I embraced my first solo project. This endeavor was a personal challenge, putting to the test every skill acquired on my journey. From design inception to the final stitches, it was a bold exploration of self-reliance and a testament to the evolution of my craft.
This project marked not just a creation, but a celebration of independence and the pursuit of mastery in handcrafted footwear.
MOLLY x KOLTUREE
An homage to my roots– a vibrant fusion of tradition and contemporary style in our exclusive collaboration with Kolturee, where leather & Kente intertwine to create a tapestry of cultural richness.
PRINCESS J
Crafting bespoke elegance: The first pair of shoes tailored to perfection for a client who desired a seamless match with her Michael Kors sloan calloped purse. Sourcing each component of this design was a challenge, but the overall satisfaction was priceless.
Another pair of bespoke elegance.
This client wanted every stitch and detail harmoniously woven to complement her style. These creations are a personalized expression of sophistication tailored to her unique taste.
Creating this upper was an exceptional experience.
I paired a smooth yellow cow hide with black cow hide, and added some ostrich leather to emphasize the details.
I tested out a different finish on the outsole of the shoes using a beautiful blend of black and red leather dyes, as well as a special texture effect similar to wood grains
Overall, I was pleased with the outcome of this project and got to learn a few more tricks during the course.
SLIPPERS
Comfort with an edge: I created these handcrafted slippers that unite the luxury of leather, bold allure of spikes, and the intriguing texture of a scuba mesh fabric.
CREATING THE GR3
Handcrafting The GR3 took many tries, but each time brought about a different uniqueness to the design.
I must have re-made it about 3 or 4 times leading up to the product you see today, but here are a few progress shots of the very first version.
This photo shows the upper of each foot: 7 layers of leather + fabric, after drafting and cutting.
Here, I created the insole using black cow hide and placed it on top of a clear block heel in order to envision (what I thought)Â might be the finished product.
After hours of stitching and putting together each component, this is was the outcome.
You'll notice a decorative stitch was used in this version, as well as buckles instead of snaps for the closures. The coloured panels were also placed on the inner parts of the shoes, as opposed to the outside on the final GR3.
Lasting the final layer of leather for this particular pair wasn't my best work back in 2019, but it symbolized nearing the point of completion.
And finally, I went back to my heel selections to decide which style would bring a sleeker, more sophisticated feel to The GR3 and ended up sticking to the 4 inch stiletto heel you see today.