For those kids who can hardly afford their number 2 pencils come fall, proceeds from Study Footwear, a mass market sneaker line— about $50 a pair and sold at Foot Action, moxsie.com, go into producing Study-branded school supplies (notebooks, pencils, erasers, etc) which are then given back to kids who need them.
The line was created mostly as a platform for the designer to give back. Head designer Chris Stamp has even gone into the classroom to talk to kids about getting involved with the arts and motivating them to do well in school. Stamp has worked with kids in downtown LA at Inner City Arts, where students designed their own Study sneaker for a nationwide contest called “Study For Shoes”, the winner of which will have their design produced by Study…
I had a chance to ask assistant designer, Loic, a few questions about what motivates him:
FF: Hi Loic! We think it’s awesome what you and designer Chris Stamp are doing with Study, the concept is amazing, and California definitely needs something like this for schools due to the budget cuts. How long have you been designing footwear?
Study: I have only been designing shoes for about a year now, but my design background allows me move around a lot.
FF: Were you a good student?
Study: Not until i discovered art, then i was a good art student.
FF: Did you go to school for fashion or was this something that you just fell in to? Tell us about your evolution!
Study: I went to school for industrial design. Apparel and fashion came easily. The turnaround is so much faster in footwear design than in most product design; the design evolves and changes at an amazing pace. It keeps me motivated.
FF: What do you think about the school system here in the States as opposed to Europe?
Study: Being born in Europe has exposed me to both systems. Both have their pluses and minuses. The American system gives students more freedom but it’s expensive. The European system is rigid (most kids know theit future prospects by the age of 14) but higher education is much more affordable.
FF: I love the variety of prints and styles that the Study line offers, where do you get your inspiration besides schools?
Study: The patterns, prints and colors are mostly inspired by our surroundings. We work in Hollywood in a office we share with a Japanese owned company so our prints are inspired by southern California- the beach, the sun, palm trees, etc.. with a twist of Japanese flare.
FF: What is your favorite reaction that you have seen from a kid that you’ve inspired?
Study: Hearing a kid say “I’m going to be a designer when I grow up”.
FF: What was the most moving moment that you’ve experienced through helping others?
Study: Helping the blind at the Lighthouse for the Blind in San Francisco. Nothing is more humbling than seeing a visually impaired person get by in the city.
FF: Do you have any kids? If so are they in school? If not, would you put them in private or public?
Study: I don’t have kids. But if i did i think that i would let them choose.
FF: Who was your favorite teacher and what was it that stuck with you the most about the lessons you’ve learned from this person?
Study: All of my art teachers in high school, for giving me a way to express myself. Brian Calo at design school, he is the teacher that taught me how to truly work and not just play around with design.
FF: When you speak to kids in schools today, how is it that you reach them the best do you find?
Study: I tell them that there is hope, that work can be made fun. If I’m dealing with younger teens that are into art- introducing them to design as a career choice is the best way to motivate them.
