But where does Oodoo’s authenticity come from ? Why the use of noble materials, the return to traditional craftsmanship that allows time to take its course, and the clear desire to promote artistic and passionate crafts like the shoe making? Valérie and Billy wanted to create a brand in their own image: authenticity, quality, traditional craftsmanship, all driven by a gentle wind of freedom. They’ve broken free from stereotypical fashion codes to create simple but effective collections.
Creativity and savoir-faire
“I was born in a shoebox”. Billy Lagré, with his tattoos and his cap, was predestined to turn shoes into real works of art. His talent comes from his forefathers. His father was a last maker, and his grandfathers were bootmakers.
Billy is a sailor. He goes against the tide, often in order to keep moving in what is the right direction for him. A contemporary man for whom human relationships are most important. Billy has forged this personality through his experiences in Europe, Asia and Indonesia. But it would have been impossible for him to have achieved so much on his own…
Style and elegance
Without Valérie, Oodoo wouldn’t be Oodoo. Her commercial and creative experience – clothing business, leather bags, a brand of organic T-shirts – are all valuable assets that help the brand to develop.
Valérie has been immersed in the world of fashion ever since she was a child, with a grandfather who sold fabric and a mother who worked in the ready-to-wear industry. Clothing is her hobby ! But not just any fashion: the kind she imagines and that leads her to sew, create and customise. It’s a passion that’s reflected in every aspect of Oodoo’s boots, from the details, to the colours, to the style – chic, but always cool.
Authenticity at its purest
Oodoo is a counterweight to the uniformity and tendencies of the fashion market. It’s a brand with no greenwashing, no products imported from the other side of the planet. In other words: no concessions on quality or on the making of it.
By offering original and sustainable creations, Valérie and Billy give their customers the freedom to buy the best for their style and for their feet.
2020 was a complicated year for everyone with the arrival of covid and confinements. A time for Billy and Valérie to take a long, hard look at themselves, both professionally and personally. They wanted to continue in their profession as shoemakers, because they loved what they did, but they were searching for meaning.
This was the time when they imagined a brand of their own, a brand that would offer beautiful, well-made shoes. A brand with which they would have fun and share their creative world in a responsible and recreational way. With shoes, motorbikes and an environmental concern at the heart of their project.
With their heads on their shoulders, Val and Billy set out in 2021 on what would be the project of a lifetime. With limited funds and the desire not to spend more than they had at the time, they decided to go straight to pre-ordering.
Billy and Val were joined by a small but important team: a jack-of-all-trades graphic designer and a few people to set up the website and digital communications. The project has officially started…
Valérie and Billy have been obsessed with Oodoo for almost 6 months before the launching. Helped by a local photographer totally in tune with their world, the photo and video shoots are launched to set the pace. Three days of shooting in a raw in a wild and authentic settings. Tarmac, deserts, rocks, rock and a band of friends – they’re in the mood!
Everything is ready: videos, photos, website. Billy and Val are confident and, above all, happy with the work they’ve done. All that’s left is to convince people !
A Kickstarter campaign is launched on June 24, 2021. Great feedback, people are amazed. A total success ! The target is reached and achieved: €27,893 (€25,000 expected). Let the adventure begin !
It starts with a motorbike festival in September 2022, in Auvergne. The aim? To raise Oodoo awareness and boost sales so that the workshops can start production with interesting quantities.
It was a huge success, with the Oodoo stand filled to full capacity for 3 days ! Incredible encounters and a stock almost entirely sold out with the first sales occurring on the website: a successful first event that confirmed Billy and Val’s commitment to the idea that their product is popular because it’s stylish and ultra high-quality.
After several successful events that stimulated the duo and reassured suppliers and manufacturers, the first batches of orders went into production. Oodoo is in and it’s good !
The feedbacks has been overwhelmingly positive. Festivals, trade fairs, web orders…the success is there and is a call for a greater adventure, just as Valérie and Billy had planned.
The story has just started…
@oodoo.boots
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