Five Questions With Bb Shoemaker

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image features Gibson shoe – handmade in South Australia from Australian vegetable tanned kangaroo leather by BB Shoemaker

Can you believe BB Shoemaker is a one women production?  Let’s hear more directly from Beccy herself in our interview below.  Of course be sure to visit our Melbourne market to be sized for your very own pair of beautiful BB slippers. 

Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to begin your label.


I first studied costume making and worked on theatre and dance shows.  While I was studying costume I tried my hand in millinery.  I discovered I really enjoyed creating hats, something about the sculpture process took me.  After traveling for some time I found my self back in Adelaide without work, so I decide my next venture would be to study shoemaking, I always had my eye on shoemaking and it seemed to be similar to millinery in the processes that are used.

Once I started I couldn’t stop.  Straight after completing my study I landed myself a studio at The Mill, a creative space in Adelaide.  Here I was able to build up all the equipment and tools I needed.  Being surrounded by other makers in different fields is very inspiring.

I have now been running BB shoemaker for almost two years.  I started BB not only because I wanted to keep making footwear but also because I wanted to have a pair of shoes that I knew the story of who made them and where the leather came from.  This is why I use local veg tanned kangaroo leather.  It is a beautiful material and is a more sustainable option.

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Image features Beccy the creator and designer of BB Shoemaker

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Image features Beccy in her studio working on BB Shoemaker designers

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Image features Gibson Shoe – handmade in South Australia from Australian vegetable tanned kangaroo leather by BB Shoemaker

Who inspires you and your creative process?
I had a very creative grandma who was a costume maker and ikebana teacher.  Looking back I feel she inspired me a lot.  I now get a lot of my inspiration from nature and the great Australian wilderness.  I’m also inspired by photographers, illustrators, fashion designers, tattoo artists, furniture makers and many more in the studio I work in.  Being surrounded by these creative people makes for a great time and some pretty fun collaborations.

Tell us something exciting that you have planned for Bb Shoemaker this year [or next 12 months].
I am currently working on my next collection for summer!  I’m designing some different sandal styles and I plan on adding a few new accessories to the mix, including giving millinery a go again but this time in kangaroo leather.

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Image features Loaf slipper – handmade in South Australia from Australian vegetable tanned kangaroo leather by BB Shoemaker

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Image features Loaf slipper – handmade in South Australia from Australian vegetable tanned kangaroo leather by BB Shoemaker

Name one resource that your label could not live without.
My hands, being a one women production, without them nothing would get made.

Tell us about your favourite product from your collection.
This would have to be the Gibson shoes in the rust colour and cork wedge. Since I made them I can’t stop wearing them!

bbshoemaker.com
instagram.com/bbshoemaker

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Image features Gibson Shoe – handmade in South Australia from Australian vegetable tanned kangaroo leather by BB Shoemaker

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Image features Lace up sandal handmade in South Australia from Australian vegetable tanned kangaroo leather by BB Shoemaker

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