MARTkd: Conversation With a Sneaker Design Director/Program Manager

Having a career in the sneaker industry is something that a lot of people dream about. Whether it’s designing a shoe or creating the blueprint for a sneaker boutique, the career opportunities are plentiful. Knowing the types of jobs that are available in an industry you are passionate about working in is important. Yellowbrick recognized that early and created Sneaker Essentials. Sneaker Essentials is a course created by F.I.T. faculty, Complex and sneaker industry experts designed to give students an inside look at the sneaker industry. 

While there are plenty of opportunities for a career in sneakers, it’s no secret that the industry is a male dominated field. While women are definitely represented, the majority of the positions are filled by men. Enter Liz Connelly and Cheresse Thornhill…trailblazers in the world of sneakers. They recognized the need to educate more women in the space and created a way to make that happen. They are the founders of S.E.E.D, an intensive sneaker program designed to teach young women the logistics behind sneaker design. From the idea of the design to the production, Liz and Cheresse decided that creating a lane for women in the sneaker industry was key. They recently sat with Yellowbrick’s own Dion Walcott to discuss their journey, the ins and outs of sneaker design and project management.

This episode, sponsored by ENVSN, focuses on women in the sneaker industry and what it takes to make that happen. Special thanks to ENVSN, a multi-dimensional community, committed to the professional and self-development of Gen Z and millennial adapters and their aficionados. The founders, Sharifa Murdock and Laura Stylez, created a platform that helps young women thrive and grow into their best selves. For more information about ENVSN, follow them on Instagram at @envsn and visit envsnfestival.com for upcoming festival info. 

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