Sung Choi

Clae specializes in footwear driven by classic designs and geared toward leisure. Which is pretty much a fancy way of saying, they make grown up sneakers.

Distinctions like “grown-up sneakers,” however, do a disservice to the product. Often that can elicit thoughts of misguided attempts by some traditional footwear companies to enter the fashion market. Or, for the sneaker kings to test the luxury market. Clae is guilty of neither of those things. What Clae is doing is making footwear that lends itself to filling a mission - “Rooted in a lifestyle, driven by leisure, Clae’s styles are at once wholly new and instantly classic.”

The brand was born in 2001, but it took a little breather before things really began to take shape. Each new set brings a refinement to a core aesthetic and some experimentation with now familiar shoes.

I connected with Sung Choi to talk about Clae and his influences. Wide ranging as they are, his interests provide fluid insight into the brand philosophy, and how models and styles emerge. From oceanography to food, Sung pulls from everywhere to learn and build as a designer. I also wanted to know how working with larger firms helped prepare him for a more concise business.

The images associated with the interview represent the 2nd drop of Clae’s Spring 2009 line.