KO.EE is a design-driven contemporary women’s footwear brand. The brand aims to ignite a risk takers passion for individuality with our diverse pieces. Let’s take a look on what the owner has to say about her brand.
1. Tell us a bit about your educational background?
I graduated from London College of Fashion with a Bachelors degree in Cordwainers Footwear: Design and Development.
2. What was your inspiration?
I’m inspired by lots of things but I guess it all really started at the heart of old town Lahore; Shah Alami. Which is home to the wholesale market and is also the largest footwear market in Pakistan. I love the old buildings, the little streets and the market culture. The designs of our first collection were inspired by different insects, which resembled patterns of chipped paint on walls and rust stains found on many of the old builds in Shah Alami and it all just developed from there.
3. How are your styles different than the rest?
Our shoes are mostly design based. We aim to bring our customers interesting and unique designs with play on color, texture, design lines and so on. Also we feature some really delicate and intricate hand-embroidered leather; which is a traditional craft that we are integrating into a modern product. It’s a fusion that lets us represent our heritage and create truly distinct products.
4. How does it feel to be a business woman at such a young age?
I was lucky enough to have very supportive people around me, which is why I was able to take advantage of this opportunity I had in front of me. I feel like we have come quite far but we still have a long way to go. I’m only just starting to develop into “business woman”.
5. How do you judge a shoe design by?
There are a lot of factors to consider. You have to look at color, materials, textures, functionality and design-lines.
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6. What do you do to keep your ideas fresh?
As a company we are young yet, so there isn’t a lot that we have done already. While designing I take inspiration from non-footwear/fashion subjects, it enables me to think outside of what is already being produced and develop new silhouettes.
7. What are your views about comfort versus style?
I don’t think there really needs to be a compromise. If a shoe is made correctly and even if the heel is very high the most it will do is create a bit of discomfort after long period of continuous wear. Honestly I think it just depends on each individual, what they are used to wearing and what they would consider comfortable.
8. When you’re designing a shoe what do you imagine the wearer to be like?
The KO.EE customer is one that isn’t afraid to take sartorial chances, someone that appreciates design and quality; also they have a strong point of view and aren’t afraid to express it.
9. What is your favorite line among all your designs? And your most favorite designer?
Well I feel like each line we produce is better than the last, which is how it should be really. If you aren’t moving forward then you are just standing still or falling even. There are so many brilliant, inspirational designers but I think my favorite of the new generation has to be Altuzarra; I would wear anything and everything he makes.
10. What message would you like to give to our readers?
The message we would most like to give your readers is to celebrate your uniqueness and that of everyone around you. Combining a diverse set of ideas and points of view is how we learn from each other and really develop a concept.
Contributed by Momal Ahmad
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