If you’ve been looking for the perfect shoe - your search has officially ended. Ty McBride founded his brand,“INTENTIONALLY___________.” (pronounced intentionallyblank), in2014.Hehadpreviouslyhonedhispassionforshoeswhileworking at top footwear companies, such as JeffreyCampbell Footwear.Now, the designer for his own shoe brand,Ty’sdesignsarecarriedbyretailerssuchasASOS,UrbanOutfitters,FreePeople,aswellasinhisownretailstorelocatedinChinatown,LosAngeles.Hisshoesarebuiltwiththefast-pacedlifeofacitygirlinmind,asshetravelsfromtheoffice,tothesubway,totheparty.Tyhasbranchedoutfromshoestoincludehatsandapparelunderthe“INTENTIONALLY___________.”label,allofwhicharedesignedtoencourageaddingpersonalstyleandflair.ContinuereadingtolearnmoreaboutsomeofTy’sdesigns,andhisvisionforhisbrand!

Ty McBride, Designer Of “INTENTIONALLY ________.”

Summer: In life, what does it mean to you to leave something intentionally blank?TY: For me, this is one hundred percent individual. The things you leave blank, the things you don’t, how you fill in those blanks is what makes yourself unique. What you incorporate into your own personal ____________s is what makes you you, and I love that. I love diversity within humans. I think there are certain things in my own life I choose to leave blank, and it works for me. I like being single - I leave that space blank by my own choice. I think its important that we all have our own blanks, and we fill them or don’t as we see fit.

Summer: I’m not sure I’ve ever spotted such an eye-catching pair of boots as the pair you’ve done in collaboration with HALF MAD. The super limited edition High Shine Red Boot is a bright and vibrant cherry red, but the real kicker is the chunky, geometric heels. One heel and sole is yellow and the other is blue. What was it like collaborating with HALF MAD, and what was the inspiration behind the two-toned heels?TY: The collab with Half Mad came about over email. In fact, I have yet to meet them in person. It was for sure very relaxed and matter of fact - a vibe I like. They were ordering some mainline shoes and asked me about an exclusive. I am really drawn to their vibe and the styling of their

site. They mentioned they liked my JACOB boot, which I had done the previous season. From that point they drove the direction for the final product. The color scheme was based on an architectural photo of a color blocked building done in the same colors. After some shipping delays, we received the shoes, and when I opened them I was initially shocked to see them in person. They were really wild for me, for my brand. I was a bit nervous. While I liked them, I was worried they might be too loud for our client. I put them live on our site, in a very limited quantity (but across all the sizes), and we sold out to the pair in 48 hours and have had zero returns. The boot is still for sale on HALF-MAD, but they too didn’t order a large quantity.

Summer: In terms of heel height, your shoes are pretty well-grounded. You feature many flats, kitten heels, and chunky heels of usually about two inches. Why do you shy away from super-high heels?TY: After spending my formative years in NYC, I came to be a person very fond of mobility in personal style. I like urban nomad tendencies in styling. I don’t really buy into the concept that heels are the only sexy shoe shape - I think that comes in many shapes and sizes, and many formats. Whenever we introduce heels that are 3.5” and higher, they simply don’t sell. They seldom perform for us. We are finding that the brand is selling primarily in very urban spots, in dense city areas where people move, take transit, walk, and function 24/7 - we want to make sure that they fit into busy schedules and styles that can be adapted for a myriad of settings based on how you style them.

Summer: What step in the design process do you most enjoy?TY: I love seeing the first pull overs of new prototypes. They are mostly never correct, and are imperfect, but it is that first tangible sample that kind of sets the tone, sets my direction and my intention for the next range.

Summer: I fell in love with the FR bootie at first sight. The base of the bootie is a pale, natural tone, and they are covered from pointed tip to kitten heel in black raffia pom poms. What statement do these booties make about the wearer?TY: The base of the FR bootie is an old boot my factory made in the early 2000’s. It’s a classic ankle boot style which was common in that era. By combining that boot with this typically spring-like raffia, I wanted to create something that spoke to the seasonless vibe we are currently seeing in style and in nature. Seasons are shifting, temperatures are fluctuating, things are different than before with the climate and how it responds. With this boot, I wanted to take a traditionally fall shape, and re-style it in an unexpected material. The person who wears this boot is, for me, very style forward, fun and truly about the details. The boot has sold well for us, which makes me happy. I love it when a non-traditional item can get some shoe fame!

an interview with

by SUMMER LEE @summerannelee

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Summer: What is the greatest compliment a customer could give you about your shoes?TY: For me, simply having clients become regulars is the best compliment I could receive. I am the head of a very small team. We make mistakes, errors, and to be frank, we fuck things up from time-to-time. But at the end of the day, I am focused on the product and the brand and making it better. This means creating updates to client faves, but also encouraging them to try something new we are working on - all the while committing to a price and quality that they have come to trust us for. Without our clients, we would be nothing, and I wouldn’t have the vehicle to make my dream come true, so when I see our shoe on the foot, on the street, I get very excited. I feel like what I am doing has purpose.

Summer: You’ve released a sneaker called OLIVOR for men. Do you plan to design a sneaker for women?TY: I have struggled with our mens range. It’s cute and great, and has a point of view, but at the end of the day, I don’t have the time to focus on it. I can’t build it.I’m not super keen to compete in the sneaker market for women, or for men really - it’s not my forte and it’s a very branded game that I am not really into fighting for a piece of.

Summer: What are some qualities of the perfect lounging-around shoe versus those of a perfect going-out shoe?TY: When I ask my clients this, they always want comfort in both venues of footwear selects. But I know that time-and-time again, for a going-out shoe, our fans love a compliment. For me, our shoes are based on how you style them, how you wear them. Styles like HALF MAD, and FR are fun and eye catching, but some of our styles are very quiet, sleek, and minimal - but styled right, are just as seductive in their own way. I love tiny details, and strange unexpected combos. My favorite item from Fall 2018 is the JANET boot. It’s super classic, has a nice sturdy heel, and is made of neoprene. It is great for office or night, brunch or something dressy. I love how long this boot makes the leg look, and how easy it is to make it your own, style-wise.

Summer: You’ve recently released a winter capsule of “INTENTIONALLY ___________.” apparel, which you describe as non-conformist and androgynous. What would you say to convince someone who wears tight, form-fitting clothing that they should try your one-size, unisex line?TY: A lot of our pieces are oversized and very gender neutral - but not all. We don’t have any issues with tight form fitting items, of course, we love the shapes they create, but our entire vibe is about moving, living and being on the go! Our apparel pieces are an extension of the vision. They are meant to be pieces that the owner can work into their arsenal of favorites.

Summer: Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?TY: I am so bad with resolutions. To be really honest, the last few years I have tried to make a really attainable goal so I can easily treat myself. For the past four years my entire life has been the brand, building it, and focusing on it without hesitation or fault. Maybe this year, I can focus a resolution on balance, or on something very personal to my own life - getting to a better place personally. A guy can’t just think about mules his entire life! It’ll make you crazy.

model KAYLA HOPPINS florals FIELDWORK FLOWERS photos ALEX LIANOPOULOS

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