In my shoes: 

For as long as I can remember I have always had a love for footwear design.  From the concept to a sketch on paper, to the handwork and stitching that make the shoe come alive, and on to the finished product in action on our busy city streets. The creation of a great shoe is more than footwear; it's a work of art. As a footwear designer for the past 5 years, I've been able to design footwear for various brands, including Roberto Cavalli.  Learning the skill of handmade footwear in Firenze Italy has allowed me to fine-tune the craft of creating high quality, original footwear.  I have traveled back and forth from NY to Asia designing for multiple shoe factories. This has helped me to better understand the footwear i design, and allowed me to bring my dream to all of you!

WHAT IS MICHAEL GREY FOOTWEAR? 

MICHAEL GREY FOOTWEAR is casual dress, where comfort is the key. I wanted to create a line that you could wear to the office, but is also perfect for an evening out. The men’s line is composed of gorgeous hand selected leathers, unique patterns, and hidden details all composed on a comfortable crepe outsole, while the ladies line has your day covered from conference room to cocktail dinner. Beautiful supple leathers, sleek silhouettes, and subtle details are its heart and soul. I feel this line is where old world handmade shoes, vintage craft, and fashion footwear design converge. With your support I hope to be able to share a piece of my dream with the world!  

WHY BACK THIS PROJECT?

Here is what you will help to accomplish:

• Help cover the remaining cost of the first ever mass production order for 2013

• Allow MICHAEL GREY FOOTWEAR to participate in 2013 trade shows in NYC and Hong Kong!

• Help to pay for an add agency to promote the line

• Help cover cost for beginning the 2014 collection

• Make it possible to begin prototyping the bag and accessories line.

• Help with the cost of getting the online store up and running!

HANDS BEHIND THE WORK:

My name is Michael Mack, and I am a 27-year-old footwear designer. I graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2007 with a bachelor in Industrial design. After working in NYC as a shoe designer for two years, I found myself wanting to know more about the product I designed everyday. I developed a passion for the craft of hand made footwear. I soon found myself on a flight destined for Firenze Italy. There I attended POLIMODA to complete my yearlong masters degree in traditional handmade fashion footwear design. I gained knowledge in leathers, crafting, techniques, and European design concepts.  Finishing the year interning in Roberto Cavalli for 2 and a half months, I gained invaluable incite into the world of luxury footwear and products. Back in NY I began setting up my own private workshop in Brooklyn making handmade shoes, and designing what would become the MICHAEL GREY FOOTWEAR line.

AHHH SWEEEEEET REWARDS:

GIVING BACK WITH Knowledge For Souls:

MICHAEL GREY FOOTWEAR will not be just another fashion brand. I am striving to create meaningful fashion footwear for the design concious and globally concious. I have always wanted to find a way to use my skill set to give back to our world. In our society so many focus on taking, and so few think on how to give back. For this reason I am founding a program called "Knowledge for Souls". KFS will be an organization made up of volunteers that will go abroad to impoverished countries and communities to teach young people how to make sustainable footwear primarily with found or discarded materials that are readily accessible to them! One dollar of the profit from each pair of MICHAEL GREY FOOTWEAR will go to making KFS a reality! I am asking you to join me in my vision to start a movement that will impact the world.

SPREAD THE WORD:

Help spread the word! 
Even if you are not able to provide financial backing, you can still help out in a major way. A brand is nothing without the people who support it, so please use the Indiegogo "Share Tools" to spread the word about MICHAEL GREY FOOTWEAR! Thank you for taking the time to visit this page, all contributions and publicity are greatly appreciated!

 Thanks so much!

Michael  Mack