What do you get when you cross European master shoemaking and innovative architecture with a passion for walking and nature? Cydwoq’s founder, Rafi Balouzian, would be that rare and delightful combination, defying fashion trends with an unswerving commitment to style, comfort, and quality unparalleled anywhere.
I had the pleasure of meeting with Balouzian, the visionary behind Cydwoq, in his Burbank office/showroom/production company. The founder and designer of men and women’s leather shoes, belts and bags sat behind the glass top desk, wearing a black T-shirt, casual pants, and a pair of his own sandals. We spoke at length about his circuitous journey which led him to Cydwoq, then we toured the factory. This was followed by my gleeful excursion into trying on the extraordinary boots in the showroom.
Cydwoq designs are as exceptional as its leather, which come in unique textures and colors. Balouzian works closely with an Italian tannery to create the exact look and feel to augment the style. Additionally, only vegetable dyes and natural glues are used, which, he says, “is better for the environment and better for the skin.” Designs employ the fewest number of leather pieces possible to minimize stitching and to improve comfort, quality, and durability.
“The smell of leather reminds me of my childhood,” admits Balouzian, who came from a long line of master shoemakers. His great grandfather had a reputation as a true artisan in Armenia, crafting custom made shoes.
Balouzian earned a degree in Production and Operations Management before returning to school to study architecture. Choosing to study architecture clearly merged his predilection and passion of both function and design, engineering and aesthetics.
It was then that he took a job with a British clothing designer where he experimented with his first line of shoes.
An ardent “walking” enthusiast, Balouzian realized that most shoes actually worked against this natural process. He studied the mechanism of walking and from keen examination, deduced the most optimal designs to aid in walking.
The success of his first five designs gave him confidence to strike out on his own.
“Everything started to line up,” Balouzian said of all his experience, skills, and passions coming together.
In 1996, Cydwoq was born in Burbank, California. Balouzian works along side his wife, Zela, whom he has known since grade school. His son, too, now in school, helps out at Cydwoq in his free time.
Observing that our society does not encourage individuals to have their own ideas, Balouzian believes that our schools teach conformity, creating an atmosphere which suppresses innovation. ”Whatever you are doing, you have to be innovative,” he urges.
Much of his inspiration and aesthetic influences come from nature, like mountains and trees, from architecture and even car designs. As with a sculpture, Balouzian tells me that “the lines have to work from every angle.”
His innovative methods, however, also apply to Balouzian’s business style.
“It is a different kind of marketing that we do,” he says. “I spend all my marketing money on the product. I try to make the best shoes I can with the best materials I can.”
“I have my customers do my marketing and PR.”
And when you put on a pair of these handmade shoes with “old world craftsmanship for modern feet,” you will know why.
I had the pleasure of meeting with Balouzian, the visionary behind Cydwoq, in his Burbank office/showroom/production company. The founder and designer of men and women’s leather shoes, belts and bags sat behind the glass top desk, wearing a black T-shirt, casual pants, and a pair of his own sandals. We spoke at length about his circuitous journey which led him to Cydwoq, then we toured the factory. This was followed by my gleeful excursion into trying on the extraordinary boots in the showroom.
Cydwoq designs are as exceptional as its leather, which come in unique textures and colors. Balouzian works closely with an Italian tannery to create the exact look and feel to augment the style. Additionally, only vegetable dyes and natural glues are used, which, he says, “is better for the environment and better for the skin.” Designs employ the fewest number of leather pieces possible to minimize stitching and to improve comfort, quality, and durability.
“The smell of leather reminds me of my childhood,” admits Balouzian, who came from a long line of master shoemakers. His great grandfather had a reputation as a true artisan in Armenia, crafting custom made shoes.
Balouzian earned a degree in Production and Operations Management before returning to school to study architecture. Choosing to study architecture clearly merged his predilection and passion of both function and design, engineering and aesthetics.
It was then that he took a job with a British clothing designer where he experimented with his first line of shoes.
An ardent “walking” enthusiast, Balouzian realized that most shoes actually worked against this natural process. He studied the mechanism of walking and from keen examination, deduced the most optimal designs to aid in walking.
The success of his first five designs gave him confidence to strike out on his own.
“Everything started to line up,” Balouzian said of all his experience, skills, and passions coming together.
In 1996, Cydwoq was born in Burbank, California. Balouzian works along side his wife, Zela, whom he has known since grade school. His son, too, now in school, helps out at Cydwoq in his free time.
Observing that our society does not encourage individuals to have their own ideas, Balouzian believes that our schools teach conformity, creating an atmosphere which suppresses innovation. ”Whatever you are doing, you have to be innovative,” he urges.
Much of his inspiration and aesthetic influences come from nature, like mountains and trees, from architecture and even car designs. As with a sculpture, Balouzian tells me that “the lines have to work from every angle.”
His innovative methods, however, also apply to Balouzian’s business style.
“It is a different kind of marketing that we do,” he says. “I spend all my marketing money on the product. I try to make the best shoes I can with the best materials I can.”
“I have my customers do my marketing and PR.”
And when you put on a pair of these handmade shoes with “old world craftsmanship for modern feet,” you will know why.
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