Shonchelle Shereé
How It All Started
I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Houston in Communication with a concentration in Journalism, and minored in Consumer Science and Merchandising. After interning for PaperCity Magazine, I went into perfume retail to sustain myself, and later transitioned into teaching English grades 6-8 for the Houston Independent School District.
Ideally, shoe designing stemmed from a problem. I was not able to find shoes to complement my taste in fashion. At the time, I could only get my hands on men’s sneakers or dress shoes, flip flops, exotic dancer heels, Converse, and Dr. Martens. As a result, I looked boyish or overtly sexual. But, I wanted to feel/look feminine and sensual, not masculine or jarring. As a result, I birthed If the Shoe Fits You. In retrospect, it was a terrible name for the shoe company. So, I decided to use the name for my podcast. A 42-episode, auditory journaling of my experiences while living in NYC and Brooklyn. As of 2018, I went with my namesake because it is unique and no one else has it.
When it comes to my creative process I start with an obsession to seek an answer. Other times, I want to shed light on taboo topics such as narcissism, substance abuse, piercings and scarification. After I decide which obsession to focus on, the research begins. Thus, I utilize library databases, listen to audiobooks, podcasts, watch documentaries or interviews. I’d look and listen to everything multiple times. Again and again and again. But, if I cannot find what I’m looking for I create my own experiences. Sometimes I take photography inventory I’ve collected and sift through colors, textures, shapes or aesthetics that left an impression on me. Subsequently, I’d sketch several footwear designs and turn them over to my ‘CADaddy,’ Guillame. We discuss the sketches, the collection’s direction, inspiration, etc. Then, Guillame creates a cohesive mood board with specs of my designs combined with his ideas. Together, we discuss revisions and make adjustments. Finally, I choose the best specs for the collection(s). Although it sounds fun, the process is like molting and shedding layers. This is because the collections become an integral part of my being. Sometimes experiencing a little death and rebirth.