Fashion L'amour

Feature | Shoe design | Kludee |

How does one become a shoe designer? What’s involved? We spoke to Klaudia, one of the founders of KLUDEE, an exciting new shoe brand, started by herself and her mother Aga, to find out more.

Tell us the short version of how you ended up deciding to be a shoe designer?

This story starts with the quote, ‘Sometimes your worst day becomes your best day’.  When I finished my fashion course at college, i applied for Womenswear course at Central Saint Martins. I’d had this in mind for years, so it was the natural next step for me at the time. I got accepted for an interview and portfolio review and I was 70% (still not 100%) sure I will get in. Yes, you have guessed it, i didn’t get in.  I was quite devastated and didn’t know what other course to take. I decided to take a gap year and apply in the following year but something interesting then happened. I received a call from course leaders for Footwear & Accessories to come in for an interview as they thought I would be a great candidate. I was very surprised. I was interviewed by Sue Saunders who’s been one of the significant people shaping the Cordwainers since the ’90s, and thus began my love for footwear!

Did you have to study a course for it? If so, how much of that was helpful?

Yes, I just graduated from BA Footwear Design in June after four years of studies, including a gap year in the Netherlands working for Ecco Leather. I think it was helpful as education creates opportunities and helps you to push your thinking and creativity without limitations. You don’t have to think about the larger production and business side of things too much.  Mainly, I think it gives credibility in our society and a sense of belonging to a specific industry.  I have to say when people think university is parties and fun, that’s not the experience I had… It was a very intense course and we learned a lot! We made the shoes by hand so we would all stay after hours till very late and work more to get things done on time!

Tell us about the name of the brand, Kludee

My dad was the one to come up with it, he felt very responsible for picking my name Klaudia as well as Kludee which basically comes from my name. The reason why it has a double ee is that I am working with my business partner, who also happens to be my mother, so there is two of us. Double the trouble.

Apart from your shoes, which shoe brand would you happily wear every day?

This is a hard question, as I’m never drawn to a specific designer but rather to a specific design. If I like the shoe, I will go for it!

Where do you get your inspiration from, when making a collection?

I always had trouble answering this question. At the university, we had to pick a specific ‘thing’ that inspired us … For me, it’s just like a feeling, what feels right and works well together, what comes to my mind and is translated onto paper when I sketch. My main inspiration is to make the woman that wear my shoes feel sexy, confident and help them radiate their personality. I’m creating for the women and so get inspired by women.

What have been the highs and lows of your journey thus far?

Understanding that there are loads of limitations in footwear unlike in clothing and some of my designs need to wait to see daylight! Creating a beautiful design and then making it into a product is a very long journey and sometimes designs need to be changed numerous times as what looked great on flat doesn’t look great on the leg or its just technically wrong.

What’s the one thing you think would surprise most people about a shoe designer?

Not sure how it is for others but I am extremely picky with the shoes I buy and I don’t own too many pairs. 

What would you say is the signature trait of a Kludee shoe?

Boots, Boots Boots! I love them in any form and shape and I promise I will be making more crazy and edgy boots. Also, there is one more element, but we are still developing it. We will launch a recyclable elements collection significant for the brand but its top secret for now! Watch this space.

Which celebrity or famous face would you love to see wearing your shoes someday?

Beyonce –  She can empower women instantly.
FKA Twigs – She is daring, different and a true female artist on stage.
Steff London – Love her creativity with music and her style.
Cardi B – She’s crazy… but how can you not love her?!

How excited are you about the future of Kludee shoes?

I think as we are at the beginning of the journey our ideas are endless. Also very excited about the launch of a recyclable collection, a project i have been working on for a very long time. It is so important to create conscious fashion and as designers/ creators we ought to do our part.

I started with a quote and I shall end with one, “Cinderella can be the proof a shoe can change a girl’s life”

Credits – Photos by Filip Plaskowski  – Instagram: @travel_ink_media

KLUDEE – https://www.instagram.com/kludee_london/ & https://www.kludeelondon.com

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