Rising Stars
My first publication under Rising Stars in VoyageATL marked a meaningful milestone in the journey of ADELINE. The feature highlights the story behind the brand, how my background in environmental design evolved into sculptural footwear rooted in architecture, emotion, and individuality.
The article shares the early experiments, the risks of stepping “out of line,” and the belief that design should challenge expectations while remaining deeply intentional. Being recognized by VoyageATL wasn’t just press; it was validation that building something unconventional and personal has power.
Curious about the full story? Take a read.
Global Footwear Awards: 2024
Laundry Day is a whimsical collision of asymmetrical color, playful form, and rich texture. It’s inspired by the beautifully chaotic pile of clothes waiting to be sorted. It’s bold, expressive, and impossible to ignore, designed for the extroverted soul who moves through the world in full color.
But like its namesake, this piece carries a quiet secret. Nestled among layers of fabric or, in this case, leather, it can disappear just as effortlessly as it commands attention.
For the introverted creative, it offers choice: the freedom to stand out or to soften into the background. Laundry Day embodies the duality of expression and retreat, a statement piece that understands both volume and silence. It All Begins Here
The Golden Ticket
I had the incredible honor of being selected to attend an intensive master course in bespoke shoemaking in Amsterdam, led by world-renowned designers René van den Berg and Kobi Levi, two visionary creatives whose work challenges conventional footwear and elevates it into the realm of art and architecture.
After submitting three original design concepts, my piece “Laundry Day” was chosen for development. What began as a whimsical exploration of asymmetry, color, and expressive tension became a fully realized form through disciplined craft. Seeing an idea evolve from sketch to structure, under the guidance of masters, was both humbling and exhilarating.
The week went far beyond aesthetics. It was an immersion into fundamentals: last shaping, pattern engineering, leather selection and stretch, balance, proportion, heel construction, and the meticulous precision required to build a shoe from the inside out. I gained a deep respect for the invisible architecture that allows creativity to function. Every millimeter mattered. Every cut carried a consequence. Beauty, I was reminded, is structural.
Working inside René’s studio environment, surrounded by tools, materials, and generations of knowledge, shifted my understanding of craft. Watching Kobi’s inventive approach to storytelling through form reinforced that footwear can be emotional, narrative, and even playful without sacrificing technical integrity.
The experience was transformative. It strengthened my patience, refined my eye, and elevated my process. I left Amsterdam not only with a shoe but also with a deeper foundation, an expanded understanding of how imagination and engineering coexist.
It affirmed what I’ve always believed: great design isn’t accidental. It’s intentional, disciplined, and built to stand.