Here are the interviews with the top ten designers of our Design-A-Shoe Competition!  Thank you all for participating!

Alexis Garrett

Winning Designer

Tell us a little bit about you- what makes your heart sing?

My name is Alexis Garrett.  I am married to my best friend Tyler, we’ve been married 10 years and have two fantastic children, Jackson (6) and Genevieve (2).  I teach art education to 475 elementary students, Kindergarten-6th grade.  As a family, we love to be outside camping, or hiking, and our newest adventure is snowshoeing.  We just love exploring together, rain, snow, wind (there is a lot of that here in Wyoming) and shine.  During the evenings, after the kids have gone to sleep, I head to my studio/garage to design and produce jewelry and accessories for my company Alexis Drake, LLC.  I have been in business since college and after taking a hiatus to have children, I have gotten back full force into production this last year.  Being an artist runs through my veins and I continue to feel blessed to be able to live it through my business and share it with my children and my students every moment of my day!

Where are you located?

We live in Cheyenne, WY – I grew up here, however, studied at The University of Arizona – graduated with a degree in sculpture and headed to Chicago for 6 years before returning home.  From one windy city to another.

What was your inspiration to enter our contest, and what inspired your design?

I can’t remember ever entering a design contest before and I knew from the moment that I opened your email that this one was something that I would be passionate about.  I look for good design everywhere – kitchen gadgets, art supplies, furniture, coffee mugs, silly things — they always are better when good design is involved.  Your shoes are designed well, the soles are specific to the size of the shoe, your materials are durable and colors are versatile for those of us looking for a shoe that can make a statement AND go with most any outfit.  My daughter Genevieve, has put your shoes to the test, and they have passed with flying colors.  The design inspiration is two-fold.  First, the grosgrain ribbon edge dangling from a sweet straw hat and that of sophisticated fun.  Think of the children’s story of Madeline and her adventures in Paris, which always include her sweet navy pea coat and of course her straw hat with those grosgrain ribbon edges.  Yeah, I am a bit obsessed with those ribbon edges, BUT, they add enough detail without going overboard.  The eyelets allow for the repeated shape of the ribbon edge and add simple detail.  Second, the name Genevieve, (our daughter’s name) helps complete the story of simple, sophisticated Parisian style with clean lines, coupled with a lot of personality.

What is your all-time favorite Livie & Luca color combination?

All time favorite color combinations. The gray patent with the plum sueded flower is my favorite – Genevieve is in love with your new petals in the fun purple. She says it, “pawpul”. 

 Shanda Barnett

Fan Voted Designer

Tell us a little bit about you- what makes your heart sing?

I’m Shanda Barnett, born in Mississippi and raised mostly in Haleyville, Alabama. I am a Mommy, wife, photographer (www.shotsbyshanda.com) , and Kindergarten teacher (Haleyville Elementary School). I love capturing the expressions, smiles, laughter… those special moments that capture just who you truly are. I love children, and I thank God for giving me the courage to pursue my passion for photography as well as teaching.

Where are you located?

I live in Haleyville, Alabama. “Home of where 911 began.” ☺

What was your inspiration to enter our contest, and what inspired your design?

My daughter and I love your shoes, so as soon as I saw the contest I wanted to design something! My whole life my grandmother has sung, “You Are My Sunshine” to me. Now, I sing this song to my 21 month old every night. I love the sunshine, clear skies, and summer days!  Lydia is my sunshine when I am having a bad day.  My kindergarteners also make me laugh daily!  I have this quote painted in my classroom to remind them that they are my little sunshine’s! ☺ I can only hope I am the reason one of them smiles each day. I love the song and thinking about sunshine! (Especially today! 20degrees! Brrrr!)

How do you feel about being chosen as the #1 voted designer by our fans?

Estatic! ☺ I am honored that the facebook family found MY design to be their favorite! <3 Thank you for all of the votes and to the people who helped spread the word!

Have you ever designed anything before?

YES ☺ I won a design contest for the Southern Belle T-shirt company. The back of the tshirt says, “The Bible says ‘Hebrews’ ” and has a picture of coffee cup. I have also designed a couple of t-shirts for various school functions and athletic teams. Before I had Lydia (had more time), I painted murals in children’s rooms. I have painted several classrooms in our school as well as other schools in the surrounding area.

What is your all-time favorite Livie & Luca color combination?

I love, love, love the mustard yellow color! Anything with Turquoise too! ☺  So turquoise and mustard would have to be my favorite combo.

Melissa Thompson

2nd Place Designer

Tell us a little bit about you- what makes your heart sing?

I am a mom of three. Owner of TangledTangerine on Etsy. I love design no matter what the shape or size, be it fashion, interior, or graphic! I am inspired by my life around me, my kids, colors, nature, and people. I once read a sign that said “being artistic isn’t a hobby”. I can relate to that because to me, art isn’t so much a choice for me, but a part of me, without it i feel empty… I’m always creating, when I’m not trying to be the best mommy I know how!

Where are you located?

I am in Ohio.

What was your inspiration to enter our contest, and what inspired Paige?

The inspiration for my design came from my children.  I take hikes with them all year round, but in the spring we get most excited to explore the ponds. As the ice melts away we are always awaiting the first signs of life. I decided for the two different shoes, because in my house I always mark an “L” on the inside tongue of the left shoe. I then have my little ones hold up their hands to find the hand that makes the “L” to help teach them their right from left. I thought differentiating shoes would make my life, as well as other parents lives, easier.

What is your all-time favorite Livie & Luca color combination?

I love the turquoise and red Pio Pio’s. Brilliant color combo!

Adriana Ribeiro-Snead

3rd Place Designer

Tell us a little bit about you- what makes your heart sing?

My name is Adriana and I am a stay at home mom to 4 kids, ages 9, 7, 3 and 6 months (3 girls and 1 boy). I stay busy homeschooling and enjoy baking , crafting/decorating, and have a major love of children’s clothing and shoes!

Where are you located?

We live in Jackson, Michigan (in a winter wonderland LOL)

What was your inspiration to enter our contest, and what inspired Painted Peacocks?

My love of children’s shoes is what inspired me to enter the design a shoe contest.  I am very passionate about children wearing good shoes that are important for development of little feet. I adore Livie and Luca shoes because they are great for little feet and are colorful, fun, and fashionable!  My daughter Isabella was the inspiration for the Painted Peacocks.  She is 9 years old and has been drawing everyday since she could hold a crayon. She loves animals and loves to draw them as well. One night she left a picture of a peacock , and next to it the pink and teal color she created with her watercolors!  I just LOVED the picture of her peacock, the colors she picked for it and I combined it with my love of our other Livie and Lucas to create my design. The trim for Painted Peacocks, inspired from the Livie and Luca Baby Bluebell Gray , are my favorite shoes to put on my little 6 month old! The trim is the sweetest and thought it was a must for my shoe design. Isabella worked with me recreating the colors she made so we could work on our final picture and was so thrilled to be designing a shoe with me! She has since asked for several other templates to use for her projects and has a couple of shoe designs in the works! She already told me she hopes you have another contest soon!

What is your all-time favorite Livie & Luca color combination?

My all time favorite color combination is the pink and silver (Pio Pio), my 3 year old LOVES her “birdie shoes” and so do I, they are the sweetest shoe ever and the colors go with almost everything in her closet!

Adrienne Hughes

Tell us a little bit about you- what makes your heart sing?

Family, teaching, art, travel, cooking, friends, and music are my passions.  I have a happy little life with my silly 5 year old daughter, Rose, and my musician husband, Russell.  We enjoy traveling together, having house parties with blues jams in the basement, being ridiculous, cooking up food from our local farmer’s market, and turning our living room into a movie theater with popcorn and dimmed lights.  During the day, I teach the smartest, happiest bunch of 2nd graders you could ever meet.  Their families come from all over the world, and I have a beautifully diverse classroom.  After school, I volunteer to teach a small group of students about famous artists and methods.  Recently, we had a little gallery show and visited The Thinker by Rodin together.  For a few years, I’ve been saving up for a big trip with my daughter.  We travel often, and I’m thrilled to be able to take her to Paris and Edinburgh this summer.  We will have a tiny flat in the neighborhood of one of my favorite films, Amelie.  Rose is a wonderful little artist, and I’m so excited to take her to to the homes and neighborhoods of Rodin, Monet, and Van Gogh.  Life is sweet and to be cherished.

Where are you located?

Japantown, San Jose, CA

What was your inspiration to enter our contest, and what inspired Velo?

Livie and Luca shoes are my favorite brand.  They provide tons of style and comfort.
My daughter just loves her bike and looks like she can fairly fly on it.  She helped me with the paint color and design ideas.

What is your all-time favorite Livie & Luca color combination?

I love any kind of London boot.  Although we have at least 5 other styles of Livie and Luca shoes, Rose always grabs her London’s. They are perfect for a tree climb, are our favorite travel shoe and are worn year-round.  They’re adorable as well.

Stephanie Hunter

Patricia Quick

Tell us a little bit about you- what makes your heart sing?

My children, music, art, and spreading good vibes/energy are all closest to my heart! I am a stay at home mom with 3 little ones aged 5,3, and 2! I also sew and sell children’s clothing online when I find a little extra time.

Where are you located?

Deerfield, MI

What was your inspiration to enter our contest, and what inspired Grace?

We have been huge fans of L&L since my oldest was a baby and I have always wanted to design children’s shoes for Livie & Luca! I mean who doesn’t right?! When I saw the contest posted we grabbed our crayons and paper and my little’s and I got to work! It was so much fun thinking of different designs and making them fit onto the shoe template. We all decided to pick our favorite memory and landed on our time spent watching the swans at our local park. Their grace and beauty bring the most beautiful smiles to their faces!

What is your all-time favorite Livie & Luca color combination?

We have the turquoise pio with the red bird in four different sizes! It is my absolute favorite color combination!

Jo-Anne Steggall and daughter Riley

Tell us a little bit about you- what makes your heart sing?

I (Jo-Anne), entered, because my daughter is too young to have a Facebook account, but since my 9 year old, Ryley designed the shoe, the rest of the answers will be hers.

I’m 9. I’m in 4th grade.  I love to draw, play the violin, do crafts, and most of all read.

Where are you located?

Oberlin, Ohio, but we used to live in Northern California, and my little sister and my Mom did a couple of fittings at the Livie and Luca studio.  I was always at school.

What was your inspiration to enter our contest, and what inspired Rainbow Connection?

I entered the contest because I love shoes, especially Livie and Luca shoes. I have 3 pairs (my little sister has a lot!).  Rainbow Connection was inspired by my little sister.  She loves rainbows, and shoes.  She is 2 1/2.

What is your all-time favorite Livie & Luca color combination?

My all time favorite shoe is the violet Cartas, but my Mom likes the navy and fuschia blossoms.

The attached picture is just Ryley, buy if you would prefer one with both of us I can send it.  She did all of the work, I really just submitted it.

Violet Stephens

Tell us a little bit about you- what makes your heart sing?

My name is Violet. I am nine years old. My birthday is April 8th. What makes me the happiest in the world is smiling, drawing and making friends.

Where are you located?

Oakland, California

What was your inspiration to enter our contest, and what inspired Mary Mews?

Well, my dad told me about the contest. I just learned a new way to draw cats (and I love cats), and I thought of my little cousin and what she would like to wear.

What is your all-time favorite Livie & Luca color combination?

Brown and blue (robin’s egg blue, of course).

Jess Suzuki

Tell us a little bit about you- what makes your heart sing?

My name is Jess Suzuki, I am a daughter, sister, friend, wife, and mother.  I was born and raised in sunny Southern California.  I came to the San Francisco Bay Area to attend school, received my bachelors in Human Development with an emphasis in early childhood education. I was fortunate to teach for five years.  I now have the privilege of staying home with my son, Mason.  What makes my heart sing? Well, my husband does sweet things like draws me pictures (he’s a terrible artist).  My favorite was a turtle dove…it was literally a turtle with wings. It was amazing.  He also decided that I should collect crushed pennies- so he brings me pennies from all over the country.  Also, when my sister comes visits me and makes me laugh more and harder than any other human on this earth. My son really makes my heart sing.  When he hugs me and hums, when he wants to kiss me and grabs my face. And then the small stuff, a good rainy day, a delicious latte, a good run.  The simple things get me every time.

Where are you located?

Castro Valley, CA

What was your inspiration to enter our contest, and what inspired She Loves Me Knot?

I love the opportunity to really push myself in life.  I think creatively it is the most challenging because it’s subjective.  To put your creative energy out there is difficult, I find it to be a very vulnerable experience (so my husband pushed me a little to do this).  She Loves me Knot was inspired initially by my friend Rachel who just had her first baby, a girl named Della.  Rachel is a super artistic creative and trendy person herself. So of course,  Della’s nursery is a feminine anchor theme, which I found to be so original and refreshing (lots of mint, touches of red, and rope details).  I love that girls don’t have to be all pink and floral…it opens so many new possibilities!

What is your all-time favorite Livie & Luca color combination?

My son actually wears the brown ruler Livie & Luca shoes…he gets lots of compliments on them.