The opportunities with the custom bootmaking process are limitless!
This pair is why I do what I do! I had so much fun making these- from designing them with my client, through picking leather, sewing the inlay and figuring out the stitching, to boot construction and finishing. The process is looong. It is tedious but in the best way. These took around 200 hours to make. Every detail was thought out beforehand and planned before I even touched the leather. I made a full digital sketch to illustrate the client’s vision and she approved it before I started production.
The imagery depicts lyrics from the Grateful Dead song, “so many roads,” - words that are meaningful to the client. The ice blue rose overlays the iconic steely skull, and the blackbird perches a top a singin’. So many roads are spewing out of the skull and converging under the vamp tongue. The outside of the boots depict nighttime while the insides show rays of sunshine for the day. The imagery and song lyrics make me reflect on the many moments that make a lifetime and the different paths we choose to go down everyday.
These boots are part of my Heirloom portfolio. They are meant to last forever and be passed down through generations. I hope my client does just that. In this world of disposable fashion it is so special to have an object like this where it is personalized and special. So carefully made and considered- there is no way these will end up in a landfill. One thing I love about custom boots is that I see them in vintage stores, decades later, even if the original wearer is done with them, they always have value for the next owner.
Custom boots are special. They are a luxury worth spending on. They are meant to be heirlooms!
