Brothers Chad and Evan Birenbaum, founders of the young footwear brand 100 Styles & Running, will be a force to be reckoned with in the near future. Focusing their products on quality and comfort, the innovative brand looks to sweep away the competition with uniqueness and style. The footwear of 100 Styles & Running gives off a different vibe from other established labels; featuring very subtle color-ways which make for a great choice of footwear for almost any occasion.
In the interview seen after the jump, Chad, one of the two brothers, gives us a brief background behind the brand; as well as a look into their 2009 Spring line. Check it out!
Introduce yourself for the people who aren't familiar with you.
We are Chad and Evan Birenbaum ; Blood Brothers, Soul Brothers and Sole Brothers. We are the founders and creators of the footwear brand 100 Styles Running.
What inspired you to create a line of footwear?
We had wanted to start a business together and do something that could utilize our skill sets. I (Chad) have a degree in Visual Communications and took some classes in furniture design. Honing my skills as a kid, I drew countless shoes with a childhood sneaker head friend. Evan asked if I could still draw shoes, I said I don't know I haven't done it in like 15 years. I designed one and showed it to Evan. Evan is a computer hacker/whiz and has great business skills. So we fused yin and yang and our love for kicks and bags and poof 100 Styles and Running was born.
Explain the concept behind 100 Styles and Running's 2009 spring collection?
Well, we introduce the Oliver shoe into the market. I wanted to do a shoe that was inspired by the Mini Cooper. If you look at the red one in particular I think you can see the inspiration. Perf leather, contrasting stripe, we put removable straps on (ie convertible top) and finished it with a supple white leather interior. We all feature it in a chocolate brown waxed leather that is typically used on deck/boat shoes and a blacked out colors way. We also feature 3 colorways of our Spring/Summer slip on loafer the Colston. We sold out of it last summer.
What's the most difficult aspect of managing a brand?
Right now ,the economic crisis is killing the market. You almost need to reset your current business model. There are factors you can control but so many you can not control. It the non-controlling factors and a tight market that make managing a brand tough.
What other brands of clothing/footwear are you feeling besides your own?
Postage Denim, Vael Project, Visvim, Gourmet, Clae, Seavess, Generic Man, Mosley Tribes, Bell and Ross, Marc Jacobs
What differentiates your brand from others?
I think our comfort, quality and attention to detail. We use very high end materials and we developed our comfort system for about six months. I have been in stores watching people try on our shoes vs our competition and they always say ours are more comfortable.
How do you keep up with the competition?
We don't really try to keep up or copy them. We just try to out innovate them and be on the next level.
Where do you see your brand 10 years from now?
Growing with several offspring.
Any upcoming projects to lookout for in the future?
Plenty be on the look out for our offspring. Right now it's in early developmental stage.
Any last words for aspiring designers wanting to start a brand?
I mean we just went for it. It takes time and money so make sure you have the time and good money resources. That's real talk. You can't go into a project part time and under-funded. You can have the greatest idea a concept, but you need funds to get your samples and product made. Make sure you have your plan and business model mapped out, get all your ducks in a row and then go for it. You have to be very cautious though in this economy.
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