Today we’d like to introduce you to Kerry Clarkson-Valdivia.
Hi Kerry, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
As a teenager in London, my Peruvian cousins would come visit wearing custom-made shoes they’d designed. I was obsessed with fashion and cult designers so as soon as I left university I went back to Peru to make things. I found artisans to work with and started selling in LA. Before really knew what I was doing I had a full shoe line and was selling to boutiques internationally.
After that line, I opened a boutique in Lima, Peru, and after that became a fashion consultant for a brief period, specializing in ecologically & ethically produced goods. I’ve run away from the fashion industry many times, even getting land in the Amazon jungle in the hope of becoming a fruit farmer. But I always come back to craft & design, and by the time Taka came around I knew it has to be about beautiful, cult items with a slow, holistic approach.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I thought I would be an artist, not a designer! but now I’m happy with my profession as I get to be creative in a practical way that impacts the socialscape. My point of view now is the result of exposure to unhealthy systems in the fashion industry. I like to have fun with Taka but as long as it hold a strong line of integrity behind the scenes. This can be challenging because eco-education is necessary to for systems to change. Even in eco or ethical products there’s a lot of misinformation and a lack of transparency. It’s challenging to know how to communicate this without it being boring or overly simplistic.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Taka is based on a seasonless capsule collection of undyed, vegetable tanned leather shoes and palmfrond handwoven hats. I do a lot of custom work for people, and the items will continue to breathe and live with the person, sculpting and building character over time. It makes Taka really special as no two items will age the same way.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
In addition to accessories I’ve started offering clothes. I also have a studio in Topanga where I take customers by appointment. You can have a hat, shoe or clothing consultation to customize the piece you want. I’ve starting experimenting with tie dye effects using plant dyes and I love unusual requests!
Pricing:
- $355 Mocs or Loafers
- $385 Hi Top Mocs
- $298 Artisan Hats
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.taka.shoes
- Instagram:@taka_studio_
