Rachel Corry

The artist-turned-shoemaker behind Rachel Sees Snail Shoes on rising from the (literal) ashes, men's fear of sandals, and the joys of smoking with your mom.

AS TOLD TO GOSSAMER

I've been making shoes for eight years. The reason I do it is I like making everything myself. That, and because of a little apartment fire in San Francisco. 

Basically my closet burned—all my best clothes and shoes. But the fire made the shoes fall apart in a way that allowed me to see inside and see all the layers, so it became really obvious how a sandal is made. And since all my shoes were ruined and I was broke, I was inspired to try to make some myself.

 

Right now, men are very shy about showing their feet.

 

 
 

Sometimes I fly with everything, which means flying with anvils. It's hard to get my bag under weight.