Name:
Tyler Alexander
How your clients refer to you:
"An eccentric artist who is using his talent to individualize and give an identity to our budding little souls."
Company:
Tyler Alexander Shoes
Contact Info:
Instagram: @tyleralexandershoes, Website: www.tyleralexandershoes.com
How many years have you been in business in NYC?
About 9 years.
How did you get your start and what was your initial inspiration?
TOMS Shoes asked me to paint several pairs to be sold at Fred Segal Hollywood. A lot of their clients work in entertainment and travel a ton, so I came up with our "city series". It led me to doing Nikes and each pair were based on a different city. One of my first customers was Elton John and that's when everything really took off!
What do you feel differentiates you from others in your field?
I like to take more of a classic and vintage approach, as well as take everyday things that people don't tend to notice anymore and make them noticeable.
What do you feel gives you longevity in this big city with so many options?
The fact that we live in one of the greatest cities in the world! Whenever I would get burned out I love walking along the Hudson and listening to some jazz. The people, the buildings, it gives me motivation and inspiration.
How do you positively impact your clientele?
I create something for them or their friends and family that is unique. The coolest thing is the baby shoes that we do. I write their name, date of birth, and city they were born in. It's something that they will hold onto forever.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Creating joy. Sounds cheesy but it's true! I love the reaction from people when they receive the shoes.
What is your favorite secret NYC spot?
If I told you it wouldn't be so secret! One of my favorite things to do is to have a picnic on the west side and watch the sun go down.
How do you benefit mamas?
We strive to make them happy with a unique gift that no one else will have.
What is the most memorable feedback a client has given you?
The most memorable one was silence. It was a pair I did for a friend’s baby and he used to have the banana leaf wall paper in his apt on the Bowery. He took them out of the box and set them on the table in front of him and he just stared at them for a while and got up and gave me a hug.
Pay it forward and name your top colleagues in the same field or related field:
A friend and mentor is the artist Madsteez. My grandma would drive me to his house when I was a teenager and still to this day he is here for me.
What is the best advice anyone's ever given you? Or what is your "mantra" / words to live by?
I aspire to something everyday and make a point to help someone in need. I go over that every morning.
As moms, the day can escape us, what is your best time-saving trick?
I don't know how all you moms do it. Especially in New York, I will gladly take advice from you!