Serious Shoe Love at Shoo Lab
I am completely obsessed with these custom painted shoes that some very creative local sisters are painting. I am convinced they are the next hot trend as sneakers are insanely hot as is anything customized.
Byers & Lilly Whitman
What is your training?
We have taken art classes at Charlotte Country Day School, and have grown up with a love for arts and crafts. Other than that, we have had no formal training.
What inspires you and your designs?
Since technology and texting is such a big part of our lives at this time, and we agreed that emojis are the most fun part of texting, we decided it would be cool to incorporate these quirky, youthful symbols on vans sneakers. Sneakers are the best to wear around school or out of the house because they are so comfortable, but can also be very stylish at the same time. My favorite part of shoos is that people can wear art that they have customized to express themselves.
What is your favorite piece? pictures if possible…
Our favorite shoos we have made so far are a pair we made for Madison Penegar, a Country day alum.
The checkerboard and small emoji combination is our signature design.
What is your favorite restaurant in (your city)?
Poppy’s Bagels and more is a go to breakfast and lunch spot.
What is your favorite starbucks order?
Iced passion fruit tea sweetened with lemonade. (not big coffee fans)
How do you balance personal life and work?
We mainly paint our shoes on the weekends since we have a very busy academic and athletic schedule during the weekdays. Painting is something we look forward to doing and we see it as a source of relaxation.
Dream trip?
Santorini, Greece.
Dream commission?
A pair of shoos for Miley Cyrus. Her creative and bold style is embodied in our shoos.
Your favorite gift to give?
S’Well water bottles are our latest obsession. The insulated bottles keep drinks hot for 12 hours and cold for 24.
Who is your style icon?
Kelly Oliver, Byers’s boss at Oliver Clothing, a boutique in Wilmington, NC.
Your favorite up and coming artist/ designer/ brand?
(don’t really have a favorite “up and coming” artist…most of what we listen to is fairly well-known and we also enjoy oldies like Bust a Move by Young MC and anything Michael Jackson.
What is your most treasured possession?
Byers: My Laptop considering it has all my school work on it as well as my photos.
Lilly: My photo albums.
What are you reading?
Byers: Atonement by Ian McEwan. (also one of my favorite movies)
Lilly: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.
What are you listening to?
Anything John Mayer– our favorite is his cover of “XO”.
The soundtrack to the movie Begin Again with songs from Adam Levine, Keira Knightley, and CeeLo Green.
What are your favorite blogs / publications?
National Geographic, Betches Love This,
and Bldg 25 Blog (the free people blog).
Look at all the cute designs…
And our precious shoes…
Follow Shoo Lab on Instagram to see the latest designs.
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