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We introduced our Shoe Collection this past year and with it our signature solid wood heel. After a visit to the West Coast and a tour of Kevork's factory, we sat down with the man responsible for these gorgeous, hand crafted heels.
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Kevork, how long have you been making and designing shoes?
I've been making and designing shoes for about 20 years. Before then I was making lasts and components for shoes. This helped me with the development of different constructions.
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We love the heels that you produce for us. Can you tell us a little about the process in making/carving the heel? What type of wood is used, etc.?
The process of making wood heels is all manual. This involves cutting the wood on a pattern, adding the rubber toplift, shaping it on a belt sander and fine sanding it. For the heels we use mostly Alder, which is a North American hardwood.
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What piece of advice would you give a new designer when it comes to designing and selling shoes?
The three pieces of advice I would give an aspiring shoe designer is first, have a realistic business plan with enough working capital to back it. Second, do adequate market research to decide what trend you will follow. Lastly, after finding a source you are comfortable with to make your shoes, become familiar with their process and design the kind of shoes that are not difficult for them to produce. Or, find a factory that is familiar with the kind of construction your shoe needs.
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You are so knowledgeable and creative. What do you love most about your work?
It is a rewarding experience when you design a new shoe and it becomes a hit.
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