Interview with Annie Mohaupt
Friday, September 29th, 2006This week our interview is with Annie Mohaupt of Mohop Shoes. Annie makes each pair of shoes by hand at her studio in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago. All of the graphics on the footbed of the sandals are her original designs, and are hand screen-printed at Chicago’s legendary Screwball Press. Annie uses environmentally-friendly woods, glues, sealers and inks. The best part of Mohop shoes is Annie’s patent-pending strapping system. You can customize the shoes by changing the ribbons that tie the shoes on. Different lengths and styles of ribbons can be used to achieve a virtually infinite number of looks with just one pair of wooden bottoms.
IS: How did you get into designing footwear?
AM: I wanted to make something unique for the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago, in 2005. A friend of mine invited me to share a booth with her, and I had always had an interest in shoes - so I thought it would be a good time to see if I could make some to sell at the show. I spent ALL of the summer of 2005 in my basement working on prototypes.
IS: What was the first item you ever made?
AM: I have no idea - I’ve made stuff as long as I can remember. I think I’m most proud that I made an outfit for myself, which I designed from scratch, when I was about 10. It was a white cotton tank and skirt set - the tank top was pretty neat, it dipped way down to my mid-back to show off a teal racer-back tank I wore below. It was super 80’s, and I wore it all the time.
IS: Do you have any formal training?
AM: Not in shoemaking. My background is in architecture, so that’s what really influenced my material choices and construction techniques. Still, it was a huge trial-and-error process. I believe I may be the only person making bent plywood sandals by hand, so I had to teach myself everything. It actually took about 14 months to make a pair that was as durable as I initially envisioned.
IS: When and why did you create Mohop?
AM: Mohop is the phonetic pronunciation of my last name, Mohaupt. I think it was probably 1998 or ‘99 that I had decided it would be my business name. Not that I knew what my business would be at that time. I did make a skateboard with the Mohop label around then.
IS: What do you enjoy most about your job?
AM: I enjoy the physical process of making the shoes - I love being able to turn an idea into an object with my own two hands. Also, there’s so much innovative stuff going on in the craft world right now, it’s really exciting being a part of the new generation of craftiness.
IS: Where do you get your inspiration from?
AM: My background in architecture (especially Modernism), as well as poster art, random ideas, and the input of shop owners, if I’m making a custom design.
IS: Who is your favourite designer?
AM: That’s so tough! I like all sorts of individual designers in many fields - graphic, interior, urban, landscape, fashion, accessories, furniture, architects… A few names off the top of my head: Rem Koolhaas, Charles and Ray Eames, Jonathan Adler, Stella McCartney, lots of Japanese designers of all sorts, much of what I see on Design*Sponge, my husband.
IS: What one thing couldn’t you live without?
AM: Hmmm, other than the usual necessities, maybe my band saw. It’s fun to cut out shoes.
IS: What will you be wearing this autumn/winter?
AM: I want to try to make some shoes that can be worn in winter, so I’ll be wearing those prototypes, probably with tights and tweedy skirts. And lots of scarves knitted and crocheted by fellow crafters.
IS: You’ve been very successful at selling your designs online, what advice would you give to other designers trying to sell online?
AM: Join online communities where you can discuss all the aspects of online business with other business owners - like theswitchboards.com. Make sure you also get your name out in the ‘real world’ by participating in craft shows, joining organizations, and working on marketing.
IS: Where do you hope Mohop will be in 5 years?
AM: I’d like to have a small workshop where I have employees to carry out the daily orders, and others to handle the financial, marketing and other routine aspects of the business. I’d like to be able to spend my days working on new ideas and building prototypes.
IS: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
AM: To just go for it - pursue your goals, learn and grow from rejection or setbacks. Also, always provide the best customer service possible.
Site: www.mohop.com
By: Anissa Mook, Editor in Chief







































