How to Make Boots from Your Garage

Having spent years in France sourcing shoes to perfectly match his unisex ready-to-wear label, Illusion, fashion designer Olivier Rabbath was exhausted from searching for footwear that simply didn’t exist. His solution: learn how to make them himself, and then teach the shoemaking craft to others. That’s exactly what he’s doing at this Brooklyn space, where you can take home Rabbath’s quirky, avant-garde kicks for men and women, custom-order a pair or enroll in a shoemaking course. For $375 plus the cost of materials, you can take a 15-hour class, held at the store over the span of a week to a month (and tote home your creations at the end!). To get inspiration, check out Rabbath’s statement-making collection of leather boots, sandals and oxfords, all known for being easy on the feet (you won’t find spiky stilettos here). We have our eyes on the ladies’ leather boots with striking 14-karat-gold–plated heels ($369), thick kitten-heel oxfords with feather details ($180) and guys’ metallic waterproof shoes made from duct tape ($39).