Bridal sneakers have emerged as the latest trend in wedding ceremonies, blending comfort and style seamlessly. Leading the charge in this innovative movement is Gita Sood, an accomplished artist and qualified art teacher renowned for her personalised bridal sneaker creations. With a clientele that includes notable celebrities such as David Raya, Emerson Royal, Kurt Angle, Jey Uso, Andy Murray, Lucy Bronze, Zoya Akhtar, Alia Bhatt, and more, Sood has garnered widespread recognition for her exceptional work. In an exclusive interview with Asian Voice, she shares insights into her approach to bridal sneakers, the importance of staying abreast of current bridal trends, and her most memorable experience collaborating with brides.
1) Can you tell us about your journey as an artist specialising in hand-painted bridal sneakers? What inspired you to pursue this unique niche?
Inspired by my passion for both art and fashion, I find immense joy in creating bespoke hand-painted designs on sneakers featuring a range of themes and designs requested by clients. This unique idea of painting bridal sneakers was born when a sneakerhead client requested me to create a design to match her bridal outfit with crystals. She wanted to wear something comfortable, which would allow her to dance all night long on the most special night of her life. Since she was unable to just find a matching pair in a store - she knew that customisation was the way forward. Since that first bridal pair I created, which consisted of crystal elephants and the bride's name, I was inundated with bridal sneaker requests - each one truly unique and special.
2) Bridal sneakers are often seen as a departure from traditional footwear choices for weddings. How do you navigate the balance between honouring tradition and embracing innovation in your designs?
Bridal sneakers offer a modern twist on traditional wedding footwear, particularly in Indian weddings. They provide a canvas for blending classic bridal elements like floral designs, cultural references such as the wedding knot and henna patterns, with contemporary materials and artistic techniques. I draw inspiration from traditional motifs while embracing innovation through experimentation with crystals, colours, and personalised touches like monograms. Each design reflects a balance of tradition and modernity, celebrating the uniqueness of the bride or couple while respecting the sanctity of the occasion.
3) How do you stay current with emerging styles and preferences within the bridal industry, and how does this influence your design choices?
To stay aware of the evolving bridal fashion trends, I find myself being inspired by leading bridal fashion designers such as Sabyasachi, Tarun Tahiliani, Manish Malhotra, Shubhika Sharma and tv shows such as 'Say yes to the dress'. I closely monitor bridal magazines, blogs, and social media platforms to identify emerging styles, trending colour palettes, and design elements that resonate with today's brides. Additionally, attending bridal fashion shows and networking with other bridal professionals allows me to gain firsthand insight into the latest trends and preferences within the industry.
Another important factor in staying current with bridal fashion trends is maintaining open communication with my clients. I actively listen to their preferences, desires, and inspirations, allowing me to tailor my designs to reflect the latest trends while also honouring their individual style and vision for their wedding day.
4) How do you ensure that your hand-painted bridal sneakers reflect the individuality and personal stories of the couples you work with?
I begin by getting to know the couples on a personal level. Through in-depth discussions, I learn about their unique love story, shared interests, their wedding outfits and more. This allows me to understand the essence of their relationship and the elements that hold special significance to them.
Next, I translate these insights into bespoke design concepts that capture the couple's personalities, interests, and love story. Whether it's incorporating meaningful symbols, significant dates, or inside jokes into the design, I strive to infuse each pair of bridal sneakers with personalised touches that reflect the couple's individuality and journey together.
5) Can you share any memorable stories or experiences from working with brides to create their custom bridal sneakers? What are some of the most unique or challenging requests you've received?
Many brides provide me with separate pictures of their face and wedding outfit, as the big day hasn't arrived yet. It's my task to merge these elements, envisioning how the bride will look on her wedding day and portraying it through the painting. This can be challenging as it requires visualising from multiple references.
Once, a bride had diverse ideas for a single pair of shoes, including symbols from her favourite TV series, Indian patterns, and more. It was challenging to merge these dissimilar elements, but after numerous revisions, we found a layout that pleased the bride.
In another instance, a bride wanted me to illustrate her love story set in Punjab, India, including a Punjabi quote. Despite my limited language skills, I took on the challenge to ensure the bride's satisfaction.
Website: https://gitartsy.com/
