Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove
It’s no secret that we mamas love our footwear. From the St. Laurent Janis boots to the Gucci slipper to the Miu Miu wedge, there isn’t a shoe trend we don’t dissect, analyze and eventually covet. So when it comes to our kids, why should we settle for boring footwear whose sole purpose is to provide function during recess? Fortunately AKID was created with that dilemma in mind. The LA-based kids footwear brand launched in 2014 with three gender neutral, hipster styles - and have since seen the world of mini fashion applaud its full foray into shoes, as evidenced by such fans as Blue Ivy and Zuma Rossdale. Each pair of AKID shoes comes in in premium leather with a range of stylish colors and accents. Prices range from $50 to $90 and styles include the Jasper, a cool work boot in a range of hues, the Knight, a snakeskin-embossed chukka and the Liv, a sleek slip-on with a chunky sole.
AKID is the brainchild of Ashleigh Dempster and Matt George, two influential trendsetters in the worlds of fashion and art. In 2006 Dempster co-founded The Society Global, a virtual cultural club for the creative class and has successfully created and executed fashion and lifestyle throughout the world. George is the owner and founder of footwear retail mainstays including Goodfoot, Nomad, St. Alfred, Stussy Vancouver and Ransom, the Ransom by Adidas footwear line. He’s also been a footwear and style consultant to Kanye West.
The couple, who married in 2010 were inspired to create AKID after having their two young boys. “As a mom, I know first-hand the challenges of dressing young children,” says Dempster. “I want to break away from the typical, but stay practical. I don’t want to fuss around with laces and I want high quality products for approachable prices. I want my little men to look cool!”
