Trends In Shoe Design
How do you spot and stay on top of trends?
It's just something that you know. I can't really explain it. Although, if you've ever been driving in a car and you hear a song that you really like and you get a tingle in your spine, that is kind of like what seeing a good shoe is like for me. You know it is a constant fight, you have to keep working, you have to keep digging, you have to stay plugged into the street. You know actually I am going to be a father for the first time next month, we're having twins, so I haven't had that, but I have a niece that I am close with and tells me what's happening and mostly I just see it myself. But its tough, the whole thing is tough.
What kind of shoe is a waste of 400?
There's nothing that's a waste It's a partnership somebody's got to sell it and someone's got to buy it.
How has prison made you a better man?
I am certainly a more patient man and a more compassionate man, although not every day. I want to live life a little slower because of prison. Whereas I was in a rush to fly everywhere, I now like the idea of driving to places. I'm not in such a rush. I want to savour time, and that's what I got that I didn't realize. That was the big prison lesson. One of my fantasies when I was in prison was to drive across America. Before, I used to fly. Of course, you have to have time to do that, but time is a very precious thing. You feel like, when you're in prison, "Oh well, I'm dead for two years, or whatever the amount is." Of course, it's not true. You're not dead. There's growth, there's inner growth, and mental, physical, and spiritual growth. There's a lot of pain involved and it's a very humbling experience, especially seeing your name trashed in the newspaper. It's painful. It hurts. Also, you've got your family and that kind of stuff. You've got to pay for your mistakes. There is a price to pay for certain things. It was difficult.
What's next after shoes?
We're doing a lot of stuff. We're doing dresses, we're doing men's wear, even watches. We do a lot of categories. Music.
