rustic-Air™ began as a one-off material experiment — a collaboration rooted in storytelling, wear, and time. The concept was simple but intentional: to imagine a pair of shoes that might outlive their wearer, carrying visible traces of struggle, perseverance, and optimism. Each pair was treated as a singular object, finding beauty in use, aging, and imperfection.

What began with a single pair gradually gained attention, resonating with an audience drawn to the project’s narrative and material honesty. This led to a series of custom commissions worldwide, including a pair created for Questlove — drummer for The Roots and a long-standing cultural figure whose work spans music, art, and storytelling. That moment marked a shift, affirming the project’s relevance beyond its original scope.

As the work evolved, Rustic-Air expanded into a small collection supported by a dedicated e-commerce platform, introducing apparel developed to live alongside the footwear and extend the project’s visual language.

I led the project in its entirety — from naming and narrative development to visual identity, web design, photography, and production. The work stands as an early exploration of how objects can hold story, time, and meaning, and how a single idea can evolve through care, patience, and intention.

IG: @rusticair