Source: http://www.khalilidris.com
Project + Exec is a new series where I’ve decided to seek out footwear executives who are minorities (Black, Latino, Indian, Native American, Asian men and women) who are doing some dope work, but are being overlooked by the larger media outlets. It’s my small part. I really hope you look more into the brands and people behind them.
As a guy who owns over ten pair of Cole Haans and Allen Edmond shoes, I have a very distinct preference when it comes to style. My hard sole dress shoes are from Allen Edmonds. The shoes I wear the most in casual and dress situations tends to be my Cole Haan Lunargrands. I don’t wear suits very often so my fashion sense leans towards the most comfortable footwear and apparel. However, I truly appreciate a beautiful, handcrafted pair of shoes. The Double Monk is my favorite silhouette and there are many offerings available. I’ve been making an effort to learn more about smaller companies in footwear lately. Particularly companies founded by minorities. I was referred to a new designer and the work being done is exquisite.
If I’m putting together a serious combo to wear for a special occasion I’m wearing the Dragon Slayer from Ikire Jones, and to keep it all Black Panther I’m going to take a chance on a footwear company I was referred to Khalil Idris.
Whenever you can combine the name of my favorite writer with my favorite actor, the combination has to produce something timeless. My favorite writer is Khalil Gibran (It’s actually a tie between Ralph Ellison and Gibran, but for the purpose of this it’s Khalil). My favorite actor is Idris Elba (Things I don’t appreciate right now? Thanos… Damn you Thanos). Khalil Idris is straight out of Brick City, but his style is classic Italian, handcrafted bespoke. What’s more incredible,
“Now 24 years old, Khalil continues to push the limits of style and design and looks to inspire young adults living in inner cities with his story. Recently, Khalil spent a little over a month teaching kids in Steenberg, Cape Town and will be sponsoring all the students of Sullivan Primary School with shoes and socks.”
24.
At 24 I had gotten out of the Navy and was playing college basketball, not creating handcrafted anything except burritos at Sombreros in Mission Valley.
My Analysis
Khalil Idris is utilizing Squarespace as his hosting service for the site. This isn’t bad, but he’s using a mask for the URL and this creates an issue with indexing and search for Google. If I type in “double monk” or “dress shoes” the site will be competing with companies like Allen Edmonds or Cole Haan already. Using a mask for your URL is not a good thing long term. He also has a unique opportunity to discuss his philanthropic work via a blog. That same blog should have categories for styling and grooming tips for men. That’s on the tech side.
As a former footwear company owner I understand the desire to handcraft, but in high fashion a company needs both a bespoke option and a pret a porter. If Khalil Idris is going to really expand and perform well the brand will have to have a ready to order version available to rival competitors. The benefit of how Khalil Idris works is that your shoe is custom made for you. The unfortunate situation is this requires participation on both the customers’ end and the manufacturer creating a slow turn around and in some instances this makes it difficult to scale. Maybe the point isn’t to scale however. This is a young business owner looking to change the world through outreach and honestly if what is happening now is working, that’s enough.
Khalil Idris is definitely a project + exec you should know. Now go visit the site and research this more.
Source: http://www.khalilidris.com