DIY DOCS:STACY URBANIAK

OUR STORE TEAM STAFF GET CREATIVE

Our team have been flexing their creative skills. We’re encouraging the Docs community to join in and customise their shoes and boots.

We caught up with Stacy Urbaniak from our Bordeaux store, who has been hard at work turning her Jadon Hi boots into a kimono-inspired DIY dream.

Can you tell us a bit about your design?

For this customisation I used a mixture of sewing and drawing. I took my inspiration from Japanese culture, so I’ve mixed both my passions. During my last trip to Japan I discovered such incredible culture. This is the reason I wanted to create ‘Kimono-inspired Docs'.

Why did you choose the Jadon Hi boots?

The Jadon Hi reflects the platform trend which is huge in Japanese fashion. For the drawing element I chose to use designs which are well known in Japan. Sakura flowers, which are Japanese cherry blossoms, the Seigaiha — traditional Japanese waves — and clouds, which are often present in Japanese-style tattoos. For the sewing parts I mainly used materials from my personal collection.

What did you use to customise your Docs?

I used Posca pens to draw on the boots, which are really practical when you don’t feel comfortable using a paint brush. For the sewing, I used pom-poms, colourful string and bias tape — which I used to make kimono bows by hand. With the remaining bias tape, I made belts using a sewing machine and then attached them to the Docs by hand. Finally, I used a twisted satin cord to lace the docs, which resembles the cord which is usually used as the waistband on a kimono.

Which Docs are you current favourites?

Tough choice! I’d say the Church Quad. Height-wise they’re between a shoe and a boot — like the 101 boot. They’re a platform boot with a vintage look. I can wear them easily and they go with everything!

What do you do in your free time?

I love DIY projects. I’ve been passionate about creating handmade pieces ever since I studied Fashion Design. Sometimes, after a long day in-store, I find the time to make personal creations. Or I customise some of my old clothes — so it was great to customise my pair of Jadon Hi boots! I also take Japanese lessons, I draw, and I recently started making digital art. I was sceptical at first - I didn’t like losing my feeling of control. But it still gives me the same freedom that I find in traditional paper drawing.