Commissioned Work & Personal Projects
"Genesis" - My first ever sneaker silhouette that I designed & created from scratch. Made with embossed alligator, rough out suaded side panels, brass rivets and suade inner lining.
"Kukui" - A commissioned pair for a special friend that was unique in every way. I cured a full grain vegetable tanned leather hide in a homemade hawaiian kukui nut based tannin, sun-dried it and brushed it with horse hair for an entire week. The result an amazing original patina that will age naturally and beautifully over time. Also, used embossed hornback crocodile inlay, goat skin lining, cured vegetable tanned leather sockliner and suaded vegetable tanned leather laces. Raw edges were hand burnished to give it that polished finished look.
"Exile" - A project that spawned from my want to use a boost outsole and utilize the leather remnants from past projects. Made with waterproof suade, burgundy rough out panels, suaded python, pebble grain leather and calf skin inner lining.
"Moi" - Created as a collaboration accessory for fashion designer Manola Yap. Details on this pair can be found under collaborations. Made with top grain glossy pebble leather, stacked EVA wedge midsole, crepe lite rubber outsole, vegetable tanned leather sockliner, raw cut with no inner liner and hand stitched detail at heel.
"Manõ Pā'ele" - Created as a collaboration accessory for fashion designer Manola Yap. Details on this pair can be found under collaborations. Made with top grain glossy pebble leather, full suade inner lining, vegetable tanned leather sockliner and vibram cupsole.
"Jennys" - Inspired by the famous D'orsay ballet flats. These where created alongside the fabulous teachings and watchful eyes of Art & Sole Accedemy founder Jennifer Allison. Made with butter soft suade, capri leather lining, vegetable tanned leather components, leather outsoles and a 12mm stacked leather heel.
"Pali" - Commissioned order inspired by the iconic Napali coast cliffs located on the north shore of Kaua'i in Hawai'i. The cliff or "Pali" in Hawaiian was formed over centries of countless rainfall. Made with waterproof linseed suade, oilly drab leather, natural pigskin lining and vegetable tanned leather sockliner & laces.
"Pueo" - Project done for my little brother as a thank you for doing all of my visual media work and social marketing. Inspired by the famous fracap hiking boot and nike foamposite basketball sneaker. Made with full grain vegetable tanned leather, black pebble grain leather, natural pigskin lining, vegetable tanned leather laces, vegetable tanned leather sock liner and vibram cup sole.
"K.O 20" - Commissioned order for a childhood friend who works at nike. Who wanted something unique to wear around the office. Inspired by the iconic DC and Vans skate sneaker. Made with cool grey waterproof suade, rough out vamp panel, kidskin goat leather lining, vegetable tanned leather heel counter, vegetable tanned leather sockliner and Aglit Italy denim laces.
"Wana" - Personal project that was inspired by my love for handsewn shoes made by Feit Direct and want for a minimal hightop sneaker. Made with a 1 piece handcut glossy pebble grain leather. No sewing machines was used in this project. The entire shoe was handsewn. Completely raw cut, edge dyed, hand stitched at heel, no lining, no heel or toe inner counters & thick 8oz vegetable tanned leather in sole. Finished with a veldtschoen construction with chain stitch detail (1st time I ever attempted it), EVA foam wedge midsole and crepe lite rubber outsole.