I designed the very first Dominic & Dempsey boot, the Petit Vagabond, crafted from Cactus Leather, out of my love for styling my son, Dominic, as well as my increasing dedication to social responsibility. This dedication initially came from my dog, Dempsey, and my strong belief that the love we have for our domestic pets should translate to a love for all animals. Each collection has been inspired by our time in New York, London and Paris, but built for our current life in Austin, Texas. It is imperative that the pieces I design be aesthetically pleasing, unisex, and gentle on both my little one, and the environment. The elegant minimalism of a Dominic & Dempsey boot is unforgettable. Dominic & Dempsey offers the fashion-conscious an environmentally responsible, kind way to wander this world, one footstep at a time. Most of the collections are created using the Goodyearwelt construction, which is a specific method of welting the upper to the shoe. This construction method allows the welt to be easily unstitched, which thus detaches the sole without damaging the rest of the shoe, meaning it can be replaced time and time again as it is worn down. In our case, we use a strip of specialised rubber welt instead of the leather. This type of construction has many advantages: a Goodyear Welted shoe is flexible, comfortable, durable and often more breathable than the average shoe.