Today we’d like to introduce you to Adriana Epelboim-Levy.
Adriana, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I went to Architecture School in New York City at Pratt Institute. I always appreciated Architecture as a discipline. Architecture allows the designer to translate into a product of any scale. From buildings to shoes, there is so much commonality between the design process of both industries. There is a process of conceptualizing, formulating a construction mechanism, finalizing a structure, considering functionality. Fashion has always been a passion for me, being in NYC allowed me to be close to the scene, assisting to Fashion Week Shows and being part of Photo Shoots, working in retail, I had the opportunity to work in the industry since my creative beginnings.
Soon after I graduated from Architecture School, I decided to join a Footwear Design program at the prestigious Milan-based Fashion School, Ars Sutoria. I worked in their NYC-based program to hone my skills further.
In 2014, I launched ALEPEL, a footwear and accessories brand with the goal of intersecting fashion and art to result in pieces that make a statement. Celebrating both form and function through thoughtful design, we develop intricate and highly considered accessories that reflect the sensibilities of our creative soul, as well as the sensibilities of our customer.
Since its origins in 2014, the brand has evolved to produce hand-painted collections and as well as the mainline collection. Both collections are a reflection of the immense creativity of our interventions and our non-traditional design perspective.
ALEPEL is based out of Miami, Florida, featuring luxury shoes for the contemporary market. All of our shoes are made in Brazil using high-quality materials and techniques; and hand-painted by our team of local artists in the Miami area. ALEPEL was built on the idea of celebrating the creative spirit into treasured accessories. Each unique ALEPEL pair reiterates this brand ethos. ALEPEL’s hand-painted pieces reflect the canvas for which anything is possible.
ALEPEL features base styles with designed patterns hand-painted by local artists. Our mission is to support the local artistic community. Each ALEPEL artist has a specific affinity for rendering concepts, patterns, and designs and, therefore, each ALEPEL shoe is unique.
ALEPEL’s slipper collection partnerships are limited-edition and produced in limited quantities. We curate all of our collections specially and exclusively for our partners. In the past year and a half, we have been honored to work with prestigious retailers like Moda Operandi.
We also recently partnered with influencer Rocky Barnes. Together with Barnes, we worked closely to achieve a capsule of two exclusively designed patterns on our classic black and white mule constructions inspired by Barnes’ 2-year-old nephew, Phoenix, who was born with several serious, life-threatening congenital heart defects. Proceeds of the sales of these collection styles will go to benefit Phoenix and his family’s medical expenses. Given ALEPEL’s mission, seeking out to benefit important causes and charities.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has been a very interesting journey filled with learning experiences. If you see the evolution of the brand in the past five years you will be able to grasp how much we have emerged from the starting point. However, we have always maintained true to our brand standards, vision and mission. The consistency has been key to grow smoothly.
The pillars of the brand are always present, through each of the designs, campaigns and partnerships we have worked.
There also have been many challenges for sure, especially considering the industry has been changing so much, Keeping up with the fast moving pace of the fashion world, new technologies, and the shifting of the retail spaces are between the many obstacles we have always worked hard to spin positively in our learning experiences.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about ALEPEL Shoes LLC – what should we know?
Our shoes & accessories are plain canvas with endless opportunities. Our unique hand-painted designs, concept and product details are definitely apart of any other existing brand out there. Our brand pillars below is what we work hard every day to provide our customers and community:
Our Vision: ALEPEL represents a redefinition of the status quo for footwear and accessories. Creative intervention brings together luxury materials and imagination to develop timeless pieces that are wholly new.
Our Mission: We seek design, piece, and pattern, with energetic life and dynamic spirit to create wearable art.
The Impact: We connect art, architecture, and fashion into one – of -a- kind pieces that are as precious as the process that created them. Our collections are hand painted by local artists in support of the artistic community.
Experience: Our Hand-Painted collections are limited edition and produced in small quantities. All of our pieces are designed and created exclusively for our partners. Made to Order.
What is your favorite childhood memory?
I spent my childhood in Venezuela, and, one day, my grandmother opened her vintage fashion closet, and allowed me to pick my favorite pieces to take with me. Seeing all these old, beautiful dresses from the ’60s, I understood there was a unique beauty behind timeless fashion that captivated me.
For the 1st time, I had the opportunity to use my creativity to reconstruct pieces to make them wearable. I understood the use of materials and the power of minimalism. My best interest was to maintain the nature of the garments and to keep them intact. With the use of minimal detail, they became my masterpieces.
Pricing:
- All of our hand painted pieces retail for $245
Contact Info:
- Website: www.alepel.com
- Phone: 9544786652
- Instagram: @alepel_byadriana
- Facebook: @alepelbyadriana
Image Credit:
Photography: Gabriela Epelboim
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