A Breakdown of Kanye West's Footwear Influence

Sneakers News has broken down sneaker-by-sneaker why Kanye has been a big influence in the sneaker culture....and I'd have to agree with every point they made.  Kanye West is simply one of the biggest influencers in pop AND sneaker culture.  He's swagger and style always filters down into mainstream America.  If it wasn't for him, most of these high fashion footwear brands wouldn't be on the map.  Click the link below to read more in depth about it.

A Sneaker-By-Sneaker Breakdown of Kanye West's Footwear Influence

The Making of a Shoe Last by Tsubo

I found this video via YouTube today and thought it'd be a great lesson for aspiring footwear designer.  The making of a last is SUPER important when it comes to footwear design.  The last will be basis of the silhouette of the shoe, or shape of the shape.  If you want a sleek toe profile, wider base, or a certain heel height...all of these depend on the last!  Take a look inside of Tsubo to see how they build a last from scratch.

Q.DESIGNS on CORE77!

Q.DESIGNS FEATURED ON CORE77!!  So honored and flattered to have had this opportunity!  For anyone not familiar with Core77, it's one of the biggest artist/designer online magazine sites there   is and carries much respect behind it's name.  One of the most talented Industrial Designers of our generation, Michael DiTullo, wrote the article himself!  Once again, I truly appreciative all of the love and support the brand is gaining.  Please continue to support and contribute...we can make this line a success!  Click the link below to read the full article.

Q.DESIGNS Transcends Categorization

Interview with Charles Williams

This is an interview with Nike Basketball's Senior Product Line Manager, Charles Williams.  Even though this is an old read I found via Crooked Tongues website, it is something I think all aspiring footwear designers should read because it gives knowledge of some interesting "behind-the-scenes" stories that helps understand the logistics of footwear.  Take a look at what he had to share by clicking the link below.

Interview with Charles Williams

Dwayne Wade's Way of Wade 2 Sells Out!

NEWSFLASH:  Dwayne Wade's Way of Wade 2 sold out within the first hour!  If you haven't heard, Li-Ning launched the Way of Wade 2 yesterday.  This was super big for the Chinese brand because this was the first time American consumers had access to purchase the signature shoe stateside.

Personally, I love the design language of this shoe and the fact that it's made of premium leather instead of synthetic materials as most basketball shoes are these days.  Click the link below to read D-Wades response to the U.S. release.

Way of Wade 2 US Launch

Rob Purvy

I had the chance to sit face to face with this gentlemen and absorb his experience, knowledge, and untold stories about the footwear industry recently.  Rob Purvy is THE man!  Rob has played key roles in Reebok, VANS, Adidas, now currently AND1.  His story and knowledge is something you don't want to miss out on!  Check this interview about him and how he made his way into the footwear game.

Rob Purvy: Crossin' Over to All Things Basketball

Cubby Golden

I had the pleasure to meet and speak with Cubby briefly while attending PENSOLE.  If you haven't heard of Cubby Golden, he's a former running designer for Nike.  His biggest design was the Nike LunarGlide 2 while there.  I just read his inspiring story about being a footwear designer and what it takes to be successful.  Any young, aspiring designers out there you WANT to tune in and listen to every word he's speaking.  Click the link below to read up!

Cubby Golden: True To Me Too

COMPLEX Editorial

YO!  I just got my first post on the COMPLEX Magazine website!  COMPLEX reached out to me to ask what was my craziest sneaker moment.  It was a pleasure to let them know the craziness I went through to get the Adidas Kobe II.  Click the link below to read up on the story and also many other industry footwear fanatics!

COMPLEX: Craziest Sneaker Pickups

LeBron James Mini-Site

If you haven't taken a look already, do yourself a favor and check out Nike's Mini-Site for LeBron.  The site details information behind all of his signature shoes so far along with detailed stats of his career journey in the NBA.  This was a clever idea to celebrate is newly dropped LeBron 11.  What do you think?

LeBron James: A Decade in the Making

Q.Designs Teaser

Q.Designs NO.3 Outsole??  You'll find out soon enough.

Q. Designs Website is UP!

The Q.Designs website is officially up and running!  Stay tuned for updates of the brand release.  History has been made...let's continue to add to it.  Click the link below to check it out!

Q. Designs Website

Q.Designs Website

Q.Designs website coming soon.  I'll be offering footwear consultantcy along with the much anticipated brand release.  You ready?

James Howe: Howe Concepts

It's my pleasure to introduce you to James Howe.  Who is James Howe?  He's a 19 year old aspiring designer from a small country called Wales in the UK.  He's currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Product Design.  To top it off, he's also designing a sneaker for a premier  soccer team in the UK.  

I originally saw James samples on Instagram and they intrigued me because they were so clean and dope!  But after conversing with him and getting to know him better, his story was significant to me because he's only 19 years old and trying to make an impact in something he loves to do.  AT 19.  It just goes to show you that age has nothing to do with the passion for success and drive.  Read below a little about him and his inspirations.

"My main inspirations would probably be from buying so many sneakers, playing basketball for the past 5 years and being interested in sport in general, always wanting to make a mark on the the world by making great shoes, changing the game of basketball, and also growing up watching LeBron and Kobe, and of course Jordan.  I've always watched interviews and stuff about Tinker Hatfield, he's the main guy."

"I have a few shoe designs that have new technology I've created.  I need to have a sit down with other designers and manufactures to create some of the shoes, not the average every day shoe haha."

"I also have a new basketball shoe that I'm getting made, that's my second shoe, inspiration came from the Jordan XX8 and the Nike Mag, a shoe that's really out there and different, capture people, catch they're eyes."

These are the type of people I admire.  The types that go after what they want and takes risks to get there.  We only live once guys...let's make our dreams happen NOW.  Click the link below to check the Howe Concepts website to shop for this dope creation!

Howe Concepts Website

Funfere Koroye

My guy Daniel Bailey (Mr. Bailey) just did an interview with one of my long time friends and colleagues Funfere Koroye.  Please take note people!  Because Funfere is one of those types of individuals that is out to change the world through his design philosophies, as am I.  Truly inspiring interview.  Click the link below to read up on it.  I'm super proud of this gentlemen because I've seen the progression and passion since the first day I met him.  Keep doing you Fun.

Funfere Koroye

Why We Do What We Do

COMPLEX Magazine has given us one of the best interviews of this year.  They interviewed some of the sneaker industry's top influencers and asked them why they do what they do.  Brilliant questions and brilliant replies.  These types of interviews are awesome because they really give you a sense of what it takes to be one of the greats in this industry.  Every person in this list had a unique story to tell.  You should take a look by clicking the link below.

Conversations with Sneaker Industry Insiders