Today we’d like to introduce you to Rochelle Davis.
Hi Rochelle, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m an Attorney at Law by profession and an Artisan by heart. Not only do I design all of KEMARO sandals, I make each pair by hand in our studio located in Palm Beach.
KEMARO is actually my middle name and I founded the brand in 2021 out of a desire to overcome corporate inequality faced by BIPOC migrant women. As a BIPOC migrant woman, the corporate disparity I experienced was blatant, despite being adequately qualified.
I knew I deserved more, and I loved myself enough to create the more I deserved, so I created KEMARO to inspire and remind myself to walk away from situations that do not add value to my life.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has certainly not been a smooth road. I’ve faced struggles building my handmade genuine leather brand as KEMARO focuses on ethical and sustainable practices.
Consumers are bombarded with fast fashion options that compete heavily with small batch production businesses.
I spend a significant amount of time and resources educating consumers on the value of purchasing quality over quantity and on the importance of supporting brands that are truly ethical and sustainable.
I try to remind consumers that since our feet take us everywhere, it’s important to invest in quality footwear, especially from brands that are environmentally and sustainably conscious.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I meticulously design and handcraft small batches of made to order genuine leather women sandals.
I make KEMARO sandals from genuine leather because leather is durable and can withstand the rugged terrains while we are on our journey. Plus leather ages beautifully with time- just like us women.
I believe that quality reigns supreme and KEMARO carefully curated collections promote sustainability. Our production model is built upon the durability and longevity of KEMARO sandals, from the design phase to manufacturing. The sandal-making process is intensive and requires great attention to detail which shows in the exceptional craftsmanship of each sandal.
KEMARO embodies the concept of slow fashion, crafting sandals that are elegant, timeless, and luxurious. Each sandal exhibits its own character with varying texture and tone since they are handcrafted. This is what makes each pair unique. Using traditional shoe-making techniques, handheld tools and non-emission-causing machinery in our production process KEMARO sandals are hand lasted and made to last.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Networking has been a game changer for me. When I first began making shoes, I knew absolutely nothing about the craft. However, I was determined to learn the art of shoemaking. Shoe making requires a hands on approach so it was a no brainer for me that I needed to find the best Cobbler/ Shoemaker in Palm Beach to get their guidance.
My research led me to my Mentor. I visited his shop, introduced myself and showed him my work. Thankfully, he was very kind and was more than willing to mentor me. When he saw how much I loved working with leather and my desire to learn shoemaking he became invested in my success. Needless to say, we instantly became friends. To this day he is my Mentor and I still take my sandals to him for his opinion before offering the sandals for sale.
My advice to finding a Mentor would be to be bold enough to approach someone who is highly respected in the field you desire to enter. Let them know your love for the field and ask for their guidance. It’s faith over fear and allowing your hunger to succeed to be the driving force that overshadows any fears you may have about reaching out for guidance.
Pricing:
- 140.00
- 150.00
- 155.00
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kemarosandals.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/kemarosandals?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Other: https://etsy.me/3Fa15jY
