Darlingtonia Moccasin Company specializes in the manufacturing of distinctive handmade moccasins. Offering a variety of unique moccasin design choices and colors, this unique company produces shoes that rival such well known brands as Minnetonka.  These moccasins ooze chic and are a must-have for any woman looking for casual style with flair.  Chic Galleria recently spoke with Darlingtonia Moccasin Company owner and designer, Katie Kukulka about her fabulous shoes.

CG: Katie, Can you please tell us how Darlingtonia Moccasins came about?

KK: “After growing tired of the handful of drab moccasin choices on the market I set off to create stylish, fun and functional moccasins I wanted to wear. With my accumulated crafting, sewing and design knowledge I created Darlingtonia Moccasin Company.  Darlingtonia Moccasin Company is named after: Darlingtonia Californica – also called the California Pitcher plant, Cobra Lily, or Cobra Plant, is a carnivorous plant, the sole member of the genus Darlingtonia in the family Sarraceniaceae. (thanks Wikipedia). I am a huge fan of moccasins, I wear them every chance I get. While looking down at the moccasins on my feet one day, it occurred to me that I could design and make a pair of moccasins in a non traditional design just as a fun project. My first designer pair of moccasins got an incredible amount of positive feedback and I decided to invest in all the materials it would take to turn my fun project in footwear design into a viable business. About a year and a half later I opened my Etsy shop: Darlingtonia Moccasin Company, www.darlingtonia.etsy.com (November 13, 2009) and I am just delighted so many people are interested in my moccasins.

CG: What is the process that goes into the development of your craft?

KK: I make each pair of Darlingtonia Moccasins entirely by hand, leather is cut, holes are punched, and physical effort is exerted while using a completely manual antique Singer 29k sewing machine equipped with a foot treadle (but most of the time I just use the hand crank). After cutting, sewing, adhering, and lacing the fun begins as embellishments are added.”

CG: Please tell us about your other interests.

KK: “I am a photographer by trade, I earned a BFA in fine art photography from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco where I specialized in large format photography, wet-plate collodion (glass plate negatives & tintypes) & other antique photographic processes. When I am not making moccasins I can be found blogging, tweeting, knitting, sewing garments, printmaking, sketching & on occasion standing behind my behemoth 8×10 camera.”

CG: What are your plans for the future?

KK: “When you wear moccasins as often as I do, the traditional brown version limits the imagination, so I chose designs and colors that I thought would make my moccasins fresh, fun and anything but drab. Most of my inspiration comes from my friends, the art they make, their favorite colors and their style of dress. I hope I can introduce many new styles in the future, perhaps a men and children’s line. ”

Visit http://www.darlingtoniamoccasins.com/ and http://www.etsy.com/shop/darlingtonia.

Tags: fashion, moccasins, shoes