2015 Heaven Has Heels November Issue

CROSSING
PATHS
WHEN GREAT MINDS COLLIDE: THE
EVOLUTION OF NODE FOOTWEAR.
A node is a point where two lines intersect. For footwear
industry veterans, Joshua Cohen and Lee Cousins, it was the
perfect way to describe their creative collaboration. Dedicated
to craftsmanship and traditional shoe manufacturing, NODE
footwear is an intersection of “ideas, design and culture.”
The result is a juxtaposition of modern concepts, and classic,
timeless footwear. Node-Studio.com
What attracted you to the footwear industry?
Joshua: As a child I always liked building things, Lego, model Kits...
Essentially shoe making at its core is engineering. My father was a
successful shoe line-builder in the U.S.A. for many years, so when he
started his own business in Asia, he asked me to join him. It’s a tough
business but addictive, that’s the only way to explain it.
Lee: I have always loved art, even as a child, and to me, the design of
shoes is an extension of this; a good shoe is always a work of art. My
father, grandfather and great grandfather were all in the shoe industry,
and so it was almost inevitable that I should follow in their footsteps.
The design of shoes has been, and remains, an unending passion for me.
What do you know now, that you wish you knew then?
Joshua: Lee can better answer this since I have only been in the business
for ten years but in those years I have learned that its all about the
details!
Lee: I have been in the industry for over forty years, and in that time I
have seen vast changes in the production of shoes, both good and bad.
I wish I could have foreseen that the mass production of cheaper shoes,
which has flooded all markets, would lead to the loss of individuality.
I am not decrying cheaper shoes, as this has meant that good design
has become more and more affordable, but for me, this is why NODE
is so special to us, as it is keeping the craftsmanship of footwear alive
and creating a product that is based on the use of beautiful leathers,
traditional last making and quality.
Do you think your geographic location has an impact on your
design aesthetic?
Joshua: I live in China and Hong Kong and the energy there is crazy
amazing. Its growth is exploding, and the population is very open to new
ideas contrary to what people may think. All the major brands are doing
well here, but there is large segment of customer looking for something
different and unique. Japanese and Korean brands are interesting here,
but more amazing are the local Chinese design talent who have studied
abroad and now returned to start their own labels. That’s really exciting
to watch here. We are collaborating with some of them. For example,
our shoes will be at the Shanghai Fashion week runway show for
VEGA she is really a designer to watch.
Lee: I was born and still live in Northamptonshire, which is the
heart of the U.K. shoe industry, making traditional shoes, and this
definitely influences my design process. I am also a visiting lecturer
at Northampton University and it gives me great pride to know that
in my own way, I am helping to keep this tradition alive by passing
on my skills to the next generation of shoe designers.
What has been the brand’s crowning achievement to date?
Joshua: For me, it’s been raising the bar on quality and delivering
a product that stands on par with high-end European brands. We
sacrifice nothing, every detail of the shoe is of the highest quality.
As of today, we stand by the product, and people have noticed.
Lee: I believe in this product and between Joshua and myself, we
have created a brand that combines our personal inspiration with
high quality. From the initial concept to the finished product, has
been an amazing process.
What’s the plan for NODE moving forward?
Joshua: To maintain quality, that to us this is the key. For the
customer, NODE is an amazing product because of our expertise,
attention to detail and quality of the materials. We know how some
brands cheat, but we are never going down that road. We are a small
unit at the moment but we plan to open showrooms in Hong Kong
or Shanghai in the near future. We are already showing in Felicities
showroom that has been great for getting exposure in U.K. and
beyond. We are very excited about the future because we feel we
have a formula, a design process and great people supporting this
effort.
Lee: As Joshua said, I just want to continue to create shoes
that customers will aspire to wear and for NODE to become an
established brand.
HEAVEN HAS HEELS november 2015 | @HHHEELS