From April 8th to 12th, 2019 I had an opportunity to travel to Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia to teach a sneaker design and makers workshop. Hosted by Ithra, a company based in the area, there mission is to introduce a variety of creative industries to those who whom have some interest. This is just another example of how things have been changing in Saudi Arabia. I have to be honest and say I had no idea what to expect in Saudi, but the fact that they wanted to bring me all the way there to teach this workshop to me was a clear sign that things are changing for the better.

The center for world culture was the home for my workshop that entire week. It’s a beautifully designed building made of metal pipes and glass. I was told that the locals do not like it, but I can appreciate the thought into the design and overall concept of this building.

Because we did not have an actual workshop with machines to work from I had to be a little creative in my approach to teaching this workshop. I decided that we would use knitted uppers and sneaker soles as our base and thanks to a couple of friends who came through at the last minute for me I was able to have these components shipped to Saudi Arabia just in time. Without using Last, sewing machines, press machines, etc. we used the raw materials I ordered along with hot glue guns, scissors, cardboard and hardware accessories I brought in from my NYC shop and made shoes by hand from complete scratch.

Over the 5 day period my first 2 days was a crash course on how I design and develop a sneaker. I didn’t want there to be any confusion about how shoes are really made as a pose to how we would be actually making them in my workshop. My goal was to educate them about the process though images and video and give them true insight on how things are done from start to finish. The making part although it was a compromised version of shoe making was meant to be fun and brainless allowing the students to get there hands on materials and let there imaginations run free.

The making process…

I decided that the best solution to the situation of making shoes without any equipment and students with no shoe making training was to start with an insole board. Using the soles that I provided I asked each student to trace the outline of the sole onto the cardboard then cut it out and trim it until it fit inside of the sole. Next, each student chose a knit upper they liked then would use a hot glue gun to secure it to the insole board starting in the toe area and going around until the two half’s met in the back. At that point it was up to each student if they wanted to close the seam with a hot glue gun or hand stitch it themselves.

Once the upper was secured to the insole board and glued to the sole then it became about being creative, and the students really ran with it. Footwear development and making is all about improvising and coming up with ideas on the fly and using your creativity to make something cool right then and there. Although we didn’t have all the tools they all stepped up and really challenged themselves creativity using what was in front them and my job was to teach and guide them through that process and they did the rest.

My students were the best...I was pleasantly surprised by how engaged they were and the questions never stopped (as a teacher that’s an amazing feeling). I was so impressed by there creativity, ideas and how they pushed themselves. It was very clear that they wanted to learn and soak up as much information as possible. I was genuinely excited and happy to see them making and enjoying it and I wouldn’t be surprised one bit if a couple of them decided to start there own brands one day.

Overall I had a wonderful experience in Saudi Arabia. It was the complete opposite of what I thought it would be and I am grateful to have had the opportunity that Ithra provided me. From the people, the food and overall culture this was a great experience and I really hope to have this opportunity again for myself and friends in the shoe community in the future. I think many of us can offer something different to Saudi and make the experience for those who want to learn better and better.

Thank you again to my Students for attending the workshop, Ithra and all the wonderful people I met over those 6 days. This was an experience that I will always remember. Cheers.

Here are some of the final products…