Shoe Salon

DESIGNERCHAT TOCHUKWU MBIAMNOZIE • TUCCI DI LUSSO

TOCHUKWU MBIAMNOZIE MIGHT not be a household name in fashion just yet, but the Nigerian native is already in good company. That’s because, like Tom Ford and the late Virgil Abloh, Mbiamnozie is also an architect. That structural background has served him well in crafting TucciPolo, a men’s label founded six years ago, and this past year’s debut of Tucci Di Lusso for men and, beginning this spring, women.

“My architectural background helps me see things from a different perspective,” Mbiamnozie says. “I create unique designs compared to other well-known brands, and I think customers can see the love and energy that goes into each pair.”

Now based in Houston, TX, Mbiamnozie describes his latest label’s aesthetic as “sophisticated, elegant, durable, comfortable and, above all, unique.” It’s like how an architect might describe a building they designed because shoes must also be structurally sound and something you can live your life in—comfortably. Along those lines, Tucci Di Lusso shoes are hand-welted with double-side stitched, double-leather soles with no plastic as well as leather insoles and linings. “Tucci Di Lusso shoes are hand-painted and hand-polished,” he says. “They’re made from the finest materials, including Italian calf skin leather sourced from the best tanneries in Europe. The sophisticated construction guarantees durability.”

But it’s not like Mbiamnozie made the transition from architect to shoe designer blindly. During junior high school he served as an apprentice in a local shoemaking shop in his native country. “It’s where I learned how to make shoes,” he says, noting that he wore his own designs to school. It’s also where he fell in love with the art form. But it wasn’t until moving to the U.S. and earning an MBA in International Business that Mbiamnozie decided to combine his childhood passion with his professional training to do “something remarkable.”

So far, so good, Mbiamnozie reports. While it’s not easy being a start-up in an established market, he believes persistence and patience will win in the long run. In addition, he believes his unique designs, available in sizes 6-18 (and up to size 22 for custom designs), are a difference maker. “Many retailers only carry men’s dress shoes in just black or brown, whereas I offer colorful options—ones that are mixed and multi-tone,” he says. Most recently, that palette spans burnished brown, tan and camel; navy blue; two-tone gray and black; and royal blue accents. “We’ve gotten a great response to the new line so far,” Mbiamnozie reports. “Wearers can express their individuality and stand out from the crowd in my designs. Heads turn when you’re wearing Tucci Di Lusso.” Who is the Tucci Di Lusso man? He’s a fashion-conscious, classy gentleman who appreciates the finer things in life. He seeks uniqueness, comfort and quality. While he wants to get value for his money, he’s able to invest in a quality product (SRP: $560 up to $1,250 for custom designs in exotic skins) that are handcrafted by the world’s best artisans and will last for a long time. Each pair ages gracefully with the owner.

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The mash-up of two classic silhouettes blazes a new trail.

What is your response to those who say dress shoes are not part of the new nor-

mal? During the initial lockdown, when people were not able to dress up and go out, it did affect business. But, as communities have begun to open back up, people have started attending events, family gatherings, church services, etc. And we’ve seen an increase in dress shoe sales.

What are your goals for this year? To expand Tucci Di Lusso into women’s with a collection of shoes, bags, belts and other fashion accessories beginning this spring, as well as launching a Tucci Di Lusso clothing line.

Where do you envision Tucci Di Lusso in

three years? As a successful company. Compared to six years ago, when I launched TucciPolo as a graduate student, I have so much more hands-on experience in how to navigate the industry.

Who are designers you admire? Gucci, Ferragamo, Berluti and Santoni.

What was the best piece of design advice

you’ve ever received? That creating something unique takes time and requires a lot of patience. A Toyota can be made in less time than a Rolls Royce.

Which shoe trend needs to die now? Silk laces aren’t need to die. I saw them at the last New York Fashion Week and they were screaming please throw me away.

What do you love most about design-

ing shoes? That it helps me to express and showcase my creativity. Outside of architecture, designing shoes is the best decision I’ve ever made, and I enjoy doing it. I love what I do.

Adidas Pop-Up Achieves Green Circularity

GREEN IS GOOD. Last month, Adidas opened, for one day only, a pop-up in New York that exclusively sold custom, upcycled clothing in exchange for used goods. Tied to the brand’s Choose to Give Back initiative and its mission to help end plastic waste, all pieces were available for purchase not in dollars, but for weight in worn goods. The concept aimed to motivate consumers to properly dispose of clothing and other goods they no longer needed.

Aaron Lynch, director of Sustainability & Partnerships for Adidas, reports the Nolita neighborhood store was a huge hit. Consumers arrived with suitcases of clothing to donate. “The event went better than anyone could have imagined,” she says. “On top of collecting nearly 2,500 pounds of textile waste for donation to thredUP, the organization we’ve partnered with to create new opportunities for old clothing and shoes, all 74 unique upcycled Adidas garments sold out in under two hours!”

The pop-up featured a range of one-of-a-kind, vintage and upcycled collections from some of the leading voices in sustainable fashion. They included: Theophilio, Ji Won Choi, Basketcase Gallery, Eva Joan Repair, Frankie Collective, Beepy Bella and Tyranny & Mutation. Shoppers were able to engage with some of the designers, as Basketcase Gallery did on-site screen-printing

and Eva Joan Repair performed repairs and customizations. Pricing was determined by item type and availability, and then given a point value between two and 15. Examples included vintage tees, hoodies and crewnecks ranging from 2-10 points; vintage sweatpants and skirts (3-7 points); accessories and shoes (5-10 points); and track suits and dress (15 points). For each half pound of textile waste turned in, shoppers were credited with one point. A dollar value for any items not redeemed at the shop was credited to consumers via Adidas’ Creator’s Club app and redeemable at its Manhattan flagship. Might this innovative pop-up pop up elsewhere? While Lynch says there is nothing planned at the moment, the success of the event is extremely inspiring. “The Choose to Give Back initiative is an ever-growing program that we are excited to continue to expand, especially after this,” she says, adding that the best takeaway of the The pop-up featured one-of-a-kind, event was seeing how passionate consumers vintage and upcycled collections. are to engage with more sustainable methods of fashion. “We were able to uplift the voices of young, emerging designers who practice conscious upcycling, as well as provide an opportunity for our consumers to be mindful in their shopping experience. Through our quick sell-out and high attendance rate, it’s clear there’s a larger need for an experience like this one.”