Joey Khamis
Words by: Joseph Genest
Images provided by Joey Khamis
Images provided by Joey Khamis
Will the footwear industry start to see a bigger variety of independent designers? If the progress of Joey Khamis is any cursor, that movement could be well underway.
Khamis is a shoe designer and the owner of Khamis Studio. Previously working for Kanye West and Reebok, he’s recently gone the independent route, partnering with 3D footwear printer Zellerfeld. Launching the Ero last year, his shoes have since been adorned by artists and athletes alike.
“Once they see it in person, people are starting to catch on.” explains Khamis, “When you see 3D printing online, you think it’s this hard plastic and uncomfortable. But, once people try them on their feet, the fit is more natural than a lot of other shoes.” noting that his shoes use a lot of “foam-like qualities that people find comfortable, like Crocs or Foamrunners.”
“Once they see it in person, people are starting to catch on.” explains Khamis, “When you see 3D printing online, you think it’s this hard plastic and uncomfortable. But, once people try them on their feet, the fit is more natural than a lot of other shoes.” noting that his shoes use a lot of “foam-like qualities that people find comfortable, like Crocs or Foamrunners.”
Designing for brands adorned by millions, Khamis has put a lot of consideration into how shoes are used in our daily routines. That’s why beyond the quality of materials, Khamis also notes that 3D-printed footwear is better support for your feet and spine. As everyone’s feet are different, he says that shoe sizes often don’t match up with fit, highlighting that a customized mold is going to be more forgiving to things like how narrow or wide a foot is.
For his next shoe, Khamis is dropping the Hezi at the end of March, which is “inspired by basketball footwork silhouettes.”
“I’m from Indianapolis, which there’s a ton of basketball connection to the city and state of Indiana,” he says on the inspiration, “I want to capture the energy of all the bold design language that was so present in the 90s, 2000s basketball footwear.”
Although you won’t necessarily see the shoe in an AND1 mixtape, the prototype shared with Knead had a nostalgic feel, relaying Khamis’s idea of reintroducing that era of footwear design through 3D printing, “like shaking hands with your past, present, or future-self.”
For his next shoe, Khamis is dropping the Hezi at the end of March, which is “inspired by basketball footwork silhouettes.”
“I’m from Indianapolis, which there’s a ton of basketball connection to the city and state of Indiana,” he says on the inspiration, “I want to capture the energy of all the bold design language that was so present in the 90s, 2000s basketball footwear.”
Although you won’t necessarily see the shoe in an AND1 mixtape, the prototype shared with Knead had a nostalgic feel, relaying Khamis’s idea of reintroducing that era of footwear design through 3D printing, “like shaking hands with your past, present, or future-self.”
A big reason Khamis went the independent route was not only to get his ideas like the Hezi and Ero into production but also to show other aspiring designers there’s an alternative route to working at a big corporation. Taking classes at Pensole Lewis College’s Footwear Design program, Khamis says the access to education is easier than ever; even outside academia, “there’s a lot that can be learned around social media and the designers on there”. To get started, Khamis suggests looking into free 3D modeling software, as well as low-cost VR headsets.
When asked if we’ll see more hybrid models between 3D printing and more traditional designs from independent designers, Khamis thinks it’s already happening. Companies like Adidas have been mixing printed soles with mesh and stitched tops for years, which could be more of a trend for start-up designers to produce a set of soles, and then construct upwards.
Regardless of the direction independent designers take, Khamis is establishing a blueprint for them to follow.
“Don’t rush into it just because it’s a trend happening right now. Get better, develop those design and marketing skills, and then build up your brand. Understand footwear before you put a shoe to market.” says Khamis.
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