Interview with MOLLY

MOLLY ("MOLLY") interviewed on Saturday, 21 March.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

MOLLY : I've been designing footwear for 4+ years and hand-crafting these beauties for 3 years now. For as long as I can remember, I have always had a fire for footwear. However, it wasn't until April 2017 that I decided to learn about the art by taking a quick shoe-making course in Toronto. This intensive taught me the basics that I needed to know, but technology allowed me to significantly progress my passion through research and various self-taught methods. After realizing that I lacked the experience needed to serve as a designer in already established fashion houses, I decided to create a company called Molly in 2016. This has been and continues to remain my greatest achievement because I can truly say that I am living out my dreams!

How did you become a designer?

MOLLY : I discovered my true love in designing ladies footwear on February 14th, 2015. I had decided to celebrate my first-ever solo Valentine’s day at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto. A truly whimsical love story that I love to reminisce on. A pair of maroon Steve Madden lace-up mules was my style choice for the day, but unbeknownst to me, these beautiful but ill-fitting shoes laced my feet with terrible blisters that became the catalyst to my design incentive. Besides enjoying a thorough walkthrough of the historic footwear museum, sitting through two Manolo Blahnik documentaries later that night inclined me to put my drawing skills to the test as I admired how effortlessly he was able to design beautiful footwear. Fortunately, I came to the realization soon after completing Manolo Blahnik: The Boy Who Made Shoes For Lizards, that the same was true for me.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

MOLLY : Solitude, direction and a solid plan are all that I need to successfully complete a project. I like to think about unconventionalism... Often times, I take on sketches by hand and other times I render my designs digitally. However, I find myself immersed into projects without as much as a sketch lately. I believe in the concepts of innovation and uniqueness- a rebel, if you will. As an artist, I think it is very important to create and not replicate. The world needs more refreshing ideas to not only sustain but also continue to grow the various design industries out there.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

MOLLY : I am very much at peace when I design and create footwear. I love the stability it brings to me, simply because I re-discovered myself through my love of footwear and continue to learn about who I really am as I grow. There is a saying “If you can’t figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you to your purpose”. I believe this to be true. Creating exceptional one-of-one pieces gives me that purpose because I know I am adding some sentimental value to another individual’s life. I fall more and more in love with the process every day.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

MOLLY : Feeling unaccepted, more so despised, by certain social groups pretty much forced me to step into my independence. Knowing that I stood out, mentally and stylishly, whether I liked it or not was something I thought could be very valuable in terms of designing. The biggest influence on my design work has not been one of physical caliber, but rather one that is spiritually motivated. I am blessed to have a mind that operates like mine, as with any artist, and believe that it is a talent that can be shared with millions of others in ways that may impact many lives in a progressive manner.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

MOLLY : My dream as an established designer would be to develop schools around the world that are committed to teaching those with this same passion the skills they need to change their lives. I come from a country where shoemakers are utterly underpaid, overlooked and undervalued for their skills. I hope one day I am able to grow my business to a point that I may be able to recruit these powerhouses off the streets and provide them with a life that they truly deserve. Among other things, I also dream of a time when I can cultivate various charity organizations that contribute to dire social and humanitarian causes because I am a lover first, before a designer. I have numerous projects that have not yet been realized, but that is the beauty of my design process. The development of new designs could potentially birth the ideas of many more and thus begins an endless cycle. Until I attain the level of a global corporation, I will have to maintain these unrealized designs as pending projects.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

MOLLY : No idea is too small to share. The chances of your idea already existing in this crazy fast-paced world might be high, but who is to say that you cannot bring something refreshing into the world. The world needs your true self, so don’t hold back! Also, I know it will get [very] difficult at times but never stop believing in you. Even if you are the only one on your team. You will have to sacrifice a lot, but believe me, it will all be worth it in the end.

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

MOLLY : Be diligent. Learning is a continuous process that ignites growth. Set out a schedule and do your best to stick to it. Timelines will be your saving grace when it comes to executing projects, however do not be discouraged when things go as planned. You will fail many times, but there is beauty in failure. Take it as an opportunity to alter your plan or go in a new and refreshing direction.

What is your day to day look like?

MOLLY : My day to day is a perfect mix of work-life. Since I solely operate my brand, Molly, I have the liberty to be a little more flexible with my timing. That being said, I could be severely focused on my projects but am still able to take a 20-minute break to make some lunch, do the laundry, get a workout in, or just relax, really.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

MOLLY : I think trends are important in terms of visualizing a timeline that shows the evolution, desuetude or sustenance of a style. I follow a lot of trendy pages on my social media networks that feed me with fresh and exciting content each day since I like to be immersed in my passion, nevertheless, I do not necessarily want my designs to reflect seasonal trends. Rather, I would love for them to stand out in a room full of the season’s latest buy. In a case where I was to follow up with trends, my mind would definitely figure out a way to make it new and exciting while maintaining a similar aesthetic to what’s in style.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

MOLLY : If it is aesthetically pleasing and practical. “Is it wearable? What about comfort?” These are the two big questions I ask myself as I go through my design process. If it’s a work of art that does not function as it is intended to, then it is simply just that- a work of art.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

MOLLY : Again, I ask myself questions like “Is it sturdy?” “Can it withstand the walk test with comfort and ease?” “Are there imperfections?”, but of course, there will be. As someone who is currently unlearning the habit of critical self-evaluation and perfectionism, this is inevitable.

What is your biggest design work?

MOLLY : Last year I had the opportunity to partner up with a company in Ghana, Enam Kolturee, that designs and sells Ankara-infused leather bags. The company donates a portion of its income to the research and improvement of the state of pollution in garri farming and I was given the full creative control to design footwear that could augment the beauty of the existing handbags and provide buyers with more options in terms of how to wear the traditional material. That was very much an interesting challenge because not only was I forced to construct footwear using something new and exciting, I was able to be a part of something bigger.

Who is your favourite designer?

MOLLY : In terms of personality, work ethic, pioneering and delivery of reliable and consistent silhouettes over the years Manolo Blahnik. In design and aesthetic, myself.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

MOLLY : Well, since I began designing footwear I have continuously taught myself to be more free, fearless and rid of all inhibitions. I think discovering my passion for footwear design, furthermore, shoemaking has made me an increasingly introspective person, which consequently allows me to remain in pursuit of a better version of myself. I believe that is the importance of good design. It holds the power to ignite an authenticity and connection between the product and the consumer. Good design is so much more; it is the feeling, the sentiment and the experience all bound in one intricately finished valuable product.

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

MOLLY : Creating one-of-one pieces is something that I wholeheartedly take pride in because I design for the one who is confidently defying all odds in life. The unapologetic renegade. So far, I work alone which gives me the liberty to operate my brand at my own pace. That being said, one of the major challenges I’m faced with is having to manage all aspects of my brand from material sourcing to designing to shoemaking to photography to web designing and marketing. I’m sure it is easy to imagine the mental toll that it could possibly bring on, however I can honestly say that I would not have it any other way.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

MOLLY : I would say my collaboration with the Ghanaian brand, Enam Kolturee, was a contribution to specific humanitarian conditions in Ghana. Moving forward I would love to have a charity organization that takes the excess unused materials from my various footwear projects to create new and beautiful footwear for those that are less privileged and unable to dress their feet appropriately. I once read that walking around with bare feet is one of the quickest ways to admit infections and diseases into the human body, which is a very unfortunate circumstance for anyone to have to live through by default. Hopefully, one day, I would be blessed enough to contribute to and possibly provide a dynamic change to this global issue.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

MOLLY : It is an amazing feeling having my efforts and hard work recognized by such an organization. Being able to share my designs with highly accredited designers, as well as an experienced jury is something that I believe to be beneficial for a new designer like myself. Confidence in one’s design is very important, however, I also think it is greatly important to have these designs accepted and/or possibly criticized by other visionaries in order to identify areas where design improvements may be implemented. Most importantly, the satisfaction of knowing that my designs have been comprehended and esteemed is a very indescribable feeling.

MOLLY Profile