Sean O’Shea is the designer behind a recently launched new kickstarter project by InSoul Footwear. The Dress Sneaker is a new concept that combines sneakers and dress shoes. When we first found out about the project, we were intrigued with the idea and wanted to learn more. Can there be such a thing as a dress sneaker? Who is the man behind this idea and how did it come to be? Read our interview and make up your own opinions!
Attire Club: How did you start your career as a designer? Was this something you always wanted to do?
Sean O’Shea: I never thought of becoming a designer growing up. Back when I was in high school, it wasn’t a career path. Honestly, it didn’t present itself until my senior year in college. I had finished my undergrad while playing Div 2 college basketball and was exploring Architectural Grad School. Throughout my research for a good school I discovered Industrial Design. This seemed so natural growing up as a basketball player and artist. So while going to art school for design, I naturally focused on shoes.
A.C: What do you consider to be your most important project or which project you worked on was the most rewarding?
Sean O’Shea: The most rewarding project was the 1st time I worked with an Italian factory. The shoemaker took as much pride in his workmanship of executing my design as I do when I create a new product/project. We actually sat through an entire dinner and at the end he presented my finished design & his beautifully crafted artwork pulled form a wooden box and unwrapped from a soft cloth….as if he was handing me a gift or perhaps presenting me with a fine bottle of wine. It was a full experience, incomparable to the average mass production style of shoe making.
A.C: What was the most important lesson you’ve learned over the years?
Sean O’Shea: Enjoying what you do and who you do it with is more important than the brand name you are working on or what other people think is cool. Love what you do!
A.C: Where do you find your inspiration? Who or what influences you?
Sean O’Shea: Inspiration comes from everyday LIFE. It’s why having complete freedom within you day or week as a designer is so important. There’s no inspiration to be found siting in a cubical, stuck in a corporate office or surfing Monday Monday through Friday 8-5. Standard corporate environments, rules & lifestyles are the cancers to the creative process.
A.C: How did you come up with the idea for the dress sneaker?
Sean O’Shea: The idea of the “Dress Sneaker” came through my personal journey with footwear. I’ve always been a sneaker guy, but as I entered the professional world I needed something “nicer”, however your typical dress shoe was a too far departure from my personal style. So once I began working with Italian factories, I asked them to help me make a shoe with the style and look of an athletic sneaker but the quality and craftsmanship of a rich dress shoe.
A.C: Who is the target audience of the dress sneaker?
Sean O’Shea: The target audience of the Dress Sneaker are men 18-48 who grew up wearing sneakers, but like myself, often have a need for a finer quality of footwear without losing their authentic style.
A.C: How does the dress sneaker impact the wearer?
Sean O’Shea: It’s a perfect marriage of style and quality. The style speaks to the internal athlete and fan of sports but the quality is timeless and a little more mature.
A.C: What kind of shoes do you like to wear? Why?
Sean O’Shea: My shoe collection is extensive. Depending on the day I like to wear a style based on the occasion (if there is an occasion).
A.C: What are your criteria for well-designed and well-crafted shoes, both in general and in particular?
Sean O’Shea: A well-designed shoe must start with a blank piece of paper and go through the entire creative process. It’s a journey and most of the “work” for a well-designed shoe takes place long before the pencil ever hits the paper. Taking the time to really understand who or what you are designing for is vital, once that is done, the design is easy.
Well-crafted shoes start with high quality materials fused with highly skilled shoemakers whose attention to detail and pride in workmanship are deep rooted and unwavering. “Well-crafted” similar to “well-designed” takes time, time is limited and therefore quality is held in higher regards than quantity.
A.C: What qualities does a dress sneaker have to have?
ANSWER: The most significant component of a Dress Sneaker lies in its ability to genuinely get better with age.
A.C: Do you have any tips for aspiring shoe designers?
Sean O’Shea: Take jobs for what you’ll learn, not for how sexy the brand name might be or how much they pay….those are just temporary.
A.C: Who is your favorite shoe designer? Why?
Sean O’Shea: I don’t have a single favorite shoe designer, I judge & admire project by project and I have favorite shoes.
A.C: Is there something you want to do in the future that you’ve never done before?
Sean O’Shea: YES, day by day project by project I want to fill my days designing high quality, innovative products that adds depth to the market and does not just fill another (financial) sales/retail need. Design and product creation first.
A.C: What will you be focusing on next?
Sean O’Shea: I’ll be focusing on the next product offering from InSoul. I also want to fully establish Made in America; we are still searching for the factories here in the US that do manufacturing as our goal would be to do the majority of our production in the US. Many US shoe factories do not currently have the tools & capabilities of executing the design style of InSoul. As our brand/company grows I would love to build a small US factory with skilled craftsmen who could take the art of shoemaking to the levels seen in Italy.
Fraquoh and Franchomme
P.S What do you think of the dress sneaker? Do you like the concept? Would you wear it? If you are convinced, you can donate to their kickstarter project and be part of the making of the brand! Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook or Twitter!
10 replies on “Attire Club in Dialogue with Shoe Designer Sean O’Shea, the Creator of the Dress Sneaker”
I just can’t get to the “high-top” version of the dress sneaker, but I have a few of the lows.
Thanks for this read, just what I needed to learn today!
You’re welcome, Kajsa! Glad you liked it!
Sean seems like such a nice person! 🙂 I must admit it’s an interesting concept, but I think it’s fitting better the men who are of age under 30. Most people must love these! They look youthful and comfy, but then again I have no idea what I’m talking about since I don’t even own one pair of sneakers ahaha 😀 great interview guys, you know exactly what questions to ask
Thanks Amira,
Glad you liked the interview. Do you really have no pair of sports shoes? We should definitely get you one 😛 !
None! 😀 We should also get me some pants while we’re at it, I don’t have any of those either.
Great article guys! Nice to hear about the conceptualisation and craftsmanship.Dress sneakers are awesome! I’ve been on the hunt for some women’s versions myself. My style varies between really feminine and tomboy so I find myself continuing to search for the perfect pair! P.S Loving the idea of your E-Book!
Thank you Sonia for the nice words! Good luck with finding just the right pair of sneakers!
This idea is great!
It sure is!