Creating amazing skate shoes is no easy task, but Dekline Footwear seems to have the formula down. According to Kevin Furtado, Dekline’s Brand Manager, it’s written in their DNA.
Recently, Krush had the chance to chat with Kevin about what to expect from their Fall 2013 Skate Shoes line. Here’s what we found out.
When you’re designing new products, who is your product designed for? Who is the ‘Dekline’ consumer?
We actually do not design with one set consumer in mind. Really the designs are meant to have a skateboarder in mind for all end use, but we try and draw classic silhouettes and color/materials from classic sneakers from the past.
Where did you draw inspiration from for this new line?
I try not and draw from one place, and try to avoid anyone in the skate arena. Dekline is made up of pretty basic design styles so we differentiate them with applications that make them individual to us. We are always trying to make each line better than the one before.
How do you balance skate functionality and lifestyle looks in one shoe?
Again, the end use will be for skate so that is the foundation. Lifestyle is adapted through application so something as simple as changing a suede upper with cotton flat laces to a waxed canvas upper and leather laces can alter from performance to lifestyle quickly. Not to say it is that easy, but again because the influence is being drawn from two places (skate and timeless footwear) the details will dictate the look.
In the design stage, how much involvement do your riders have?
Everyone we work with has input. I try and listen to what everyone has to say, the more input the better. It’s my job to take everyone’s input and create a line that is consistent with Dekline’s DNA.
Anything new ‘under the hood’ our readers should be aware of?
We are really focusing on being a brand that people can rely on for quality, design, and consistency. We do not want to chase trends, or be the biggest shoe brand out. We want Dekline to be the best it can. We have lots of new things going for Holiday ’13, Spring ’14 and beyond that we will release throughout the year. We are sure people will be stoked on it all.
Dekline Dalton in Pewter/Bison
What are your top 2 or 3 pieces from this line?
I will say my favorites are the “Dalton” in pewter/bison and the “Tim Tim” in espresso full grain leather. The Dalton is our first cup sole in a long time, and I am super stoked with how it turned out. I feel it fits in with the rest of our vulc line well. The Tim Tim in full grain leather with pull-up turned out really clean and premium.
Be sure to rate the full Dekline Fall 2013 Skate Shoes SneakPeek to give Kevin your feedback on the line.
