What is Warwhal? 
Warwhal is a composite word I created from two things I love: Andy Warhol and Narwhals.

Look down at your feet. Your shoes, as well as mine, were probably made on an assembly line in a huge factory somewhere. This is the reality of garment production today. Andy Warhol was able to embrace the concept of a factory and turn it into the Factory- a place for creativity and new ideas. Andy Warhol and the Factory are a reminder that you can still maintain the Art in the craft, in spite of mass production. Warhol inspires me with his bold use of color, incorporation of Pop Culture, and his affinity for pushing boundaries. 

I treasure narwhals because they are a rare and seemingly, fantastical animal. They remind me that there are little bits of magic in this world, and reality is stranger than fiction. I aim for my designs to capture their whimsical existence.

My Story...
Shoe making has been a whimsical dream of mine for years, but it never occurred to me it was something I could do myself. I had written it off as a bucket list item likely to never avail, until a friend of mine posted some picture of himself at a shoe making course. That's when it clicked! People do make shoes, in America, and I could find someone to teach me. I made it my mission to do just that. I found the one course that would allow me to make stilettos from the get go and hopped on a place to Arizona. This site is everything that has happened as a result of that 4-day course. 
 
Warwhal.com is a compilation of some of my creations, works in progress, and tinkerings on my journey to mastering shoemakin. Aside from shoe making, I have also been focusing on small leather goods to get a better grasp of the material and tools. Which led me to accessories, like hats! What better to pair with a pump that a derby hat?!  I have quickly exhausted my family's need of coasters and key chains, so an Etsy store is in the works down the line. 

Follow the my journey on Instagram (@emilylucie).