An Interview with JB Ander’s Principal Designer
Discover the creative process and design philosophy behind JB Ander’s latest collection of premium men's footwear. In this interview, we delve into our principal designer’s inspiration and vision, underpinning the craftsmanship that defines our signature loafers.
Journey into Men's Fashion and Luxury Leather Goods
Q: Can you tell us about your introduction to the world of fashion and design? Were there any designers or artists who influenced your work?
I’ve always had a passion for bespoke men’s shoes and was fortunate to have trained with Master Artisan Roberto Ugolini in Florence. After years of making shoes, I developed ideas of my own and transitioned into design.
Being able to work for international brands such as Nicholas Kirkwood, Peter Pilotto, and Bottega Veneta shaped my approach because each company had a unique area of focus. Eventually launching luxury leather goods and shoe brands of my own deepened my connection with the customer; I developed my own idea of what to focus on based on my creativity and my customers' values.
Buckminster Fuller’s architectural work has also been inspirational for me since very early on in my career; I was drawn to his clean geometric lines and innovative attention to detail.
Design Philosophy at JB Ander
Q: What do you find most rewarding about designing shoes for JB Ander?
At JB Ander, we prioritize craftsmanship above all else. Unlike major brands focused on marketing over product, we collaborate closely with top-tier Italian manufacturers and, truly, artisans of their trade to create footwear that is original, timeless, and unparalleled in quality.
I got into the world of fashion because of my passion for footwear. Currently, most major brands spend tremendous energy, focus, and budget on everything other than the product. What has been rewarding is being able to collaborate with the JB Ander team on a brand that first and foremost, at its core, focuses on making original shoes with top-tier Italian manufacturing partners. This is especially significant in today’s age where most brands are looking for quick success. JB Ander has spent years perfecting their product and learning everything possible about men’s footwear; this makes the brand significant and exciting.
Q: What principles guide your designs to make them stand out while remaining approachable?
- Toe Shape: Defines the shoe’s personality and has the power to transform the wearer’s mood.
- Silhouette: Makes the strongest statement about your personal style and has the most impact; Every detail, from contrasting textures to clean lines, contributes to the shoe’s appeal.
- 360-Degree Design: I believe the shoe should be conceived from every angle; even the lining, sole, and back are carefully considered.
- Fit & Comfort: Our shoes not only look striking but also instill confidence in every step.
Our philosophy ensures each pair is an intricate blend of style, functionality, and timeless elegance.
Ultimately there needs to be something distinctive about the overall design at first glance. With shoes, men’s shoes in particular, the devil is in the details and it’s the sum of countless small details that make your overall impression an impressive one. Quite often people say, “I love your shoes!” and they can’t work out exactly why.
The combination of the right toe shape, contrasting textures on the uppers, and clean lines should be appealing to the point of intrigue. And fit, of course, is everything. Once men try on our shoes they will feel confident in their construction and overall comfort.
Cultural Reflections in Footwear
Q: How do you think fashion and footwear design can impact or reflect cultural and societal trends?
Footwear mirrors evolving societal norms. I remember growing up and never being allowed to wear sneakers except for in sport and playing with friends. Now sneakers are worn on red carpets. As someone who grew up loving dress shoes, there are some things about sneakers that I’m thankful for now as a designer. Pre-sneakers, color options were mainly brown or black. Sneakers have encouraged men to experiment with color and print; often the crazier the better. I believe the reason modern men wear all types of colors and prints confidently started with sneakers. As we’ve ridden the sneaker wave over the past two decades, it’s refreshing to see an appetite for dress shoes again, but this time with more imagination than prior.
The Design Process Behind JB Ander’s Latest Collection
Q: What inspired the latest collection?
This collection stems from a global shift back to elegant dress shoes. We sought to create “new classics” by blending traditional Italian craftsmanship with modern versatility.
The process begins by imagining our customers in real-life scenarios—like walking through a chic hotel lobby. I want to visualize a situation that is realistic and common but make it refined and unique. This play between something aspirational and relevant is where the balance between creativity and functionality is found. These images inform the mood and vibe of the designs. Hundreds of sketches are narrowed down to a curated selection, focusing on essential details like toe shape, hardware, and texture.
A standout of the collection is the Great White smoking slipper, featuring oversized broguing in a unique geometric pattern. Every element, including the sole and heel design, has been meticulously crafted to ensure both beauty and functionality. The sole is one of my favorite areas of a shoe; I focused a lot on the heel and sole details because it’s exciting turning a shoe over and seeing beautiful design.
The Future of Footwear Design
Q: What trends excite you for the future of footwear design?
The blending of men’s and women’s fashion has opened doors for gender-fluid designs. I’m also excited to see sophisticated options for high-summer footwear emerge, blending elegance with practicality for poolside and beyond.
About JB Ander
JB Ander crafts shoes that withstand the test of time and become a part of your personal style legacy. Handcrafted in northern Italy, our footwear reflects sophisticated style, heritage craftsmanship, and responsible manufacturing practices.
Our sleek, minimalist silhouettes are both contemporary and timeless—designed for the modern man who values individuality and versatility.
A Note on Anonymity: Although our designer is integral to our brand's story, they also design for other fashion houses as well as for their own label. For this reason, and to uphold noncompete agreements, they requested to remain unnamed in this article.