Jessi Katz is the Larry behind Larry Shoes. With a conscientious focus on sustainability and comfort, she launched the brand in 2018, creating small-batch & limited edition production runs alongside custom orders. She is the designer and shoemaker, hiring help as needed from trusted friends and skilled local craftspeople. Jess has been creating footwear for 10 years. Early in her career, she earned a footwear design master's degree in Florence, Italy, and then studied pedorthics in the US. Her life's ambition is to make cool shoes comfortable, and comfortable shoes cool.
Q & A:
How did you start making shoes?
It started with an accident. I fell down the stairs during my last year of university, and my right foot never healed. If I wanted to get out of a walking boot, I needed to wear sensible & supportive orthopedic shoes with custom orthoses. The one (one!) pair of shoes I had to wear for the next year are precious to me, but it's purely sentimental. They're really ugly. I did extensive research into the orthopedic market with great disappointment. The young man working at his family's shoe repair on 2nd Ave & 91st St got annoyed with me when I kept coming by, begging him to teach me how to make my shoes fit better. He told me to get lost, but not before pointing me in the direction of the Jewish Community Center's night classes in shoemaking under Emily Putterman. I fell in love with it, and six months later, I quit my day job to take an internship with my favorite New York-based designer. There's a video of a young me, around this time in 2010, at an adorable and filthy East Village apartment, proclaiming that her dream was to create the world's first brand of cool orthopedic shoes. Anyway, I took a job in product development for a huge footwear corporation, and after refilling my piggy bank, I flew off to Florence, Italy to complete my Masters in Advanced Fashion Footwear and Bag Design. Fast forward, and I was back in NY handmaking shoes and bags when another accident rendered my right hand injured and useless. Trust me when I say that you really need your dominant hand to make things - any things. I was down in the dumps with my hand in a cast, but I dusted myself off and took the opportunity to finally study Pedorthics and orthopedic foot care. An apprenticeship with a Pedorthist helped remind me how badly everyone wants to find beautiful shoes that are also comfortable, and made responsibly. I called in help and pulled it together. I would say that my first accident was the catalyst, but the second accident sealed the deal.
What custom shoes can I order?
I typically work on sandals and slippers due to physical limitations, but I can work with you to create your dream shoes, even if that means bringing in extra muscle. Take a look at my page of Custom work, my Instagram, and then reach out. I can guide you through the design process from there.
Why is it called Larry?
It's a nickname, after Mr. David. Probably because of the glasses (not shown in photo), the comfortable shoes, and the high levels of neuroticism (also not shown in photo).
Anything else to add?
I am extremely friendly, and happy to answer any footwear related questions. Please feel free to send me an email, even about things you think are trivial. I'll probably find them interesting!