Joy Keys chats with Shoe Designer & Philanthropist Etu Evans

Etu Evans, shoe designer to the stars, is a creator of bespoke footwear that seemingly makes clothes optional. Evans has been hailed by Footwear News as the prince of luxe footwear and the new media darling by FashionWindows.com.. 

Evans is 4.0 graduate of Columbia University with a degree in Applied Behavioral Science and a Cum Laude graduate of South Carolina State University. He pursued his creative studies in continuing education at The Parsons School of Design, as well as in footwear and accessories with an associate degree from The Fashion Institute of Technology; both located in NYC. 

In 1993, Etu Evans established his LLC, designing millinery and jewelry and has since expanded to included footwear and accessories. The beguiling creations of Etu Evans have captured the attention of Ducatti, Parisian fashionistas and publications such as German Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Spanish Marie Claire, Essence, GQ, In Style (UK), Women’s Wear Daily, Ebony (30 Leaders of the Future), and Black Enterprise.

In 1998, the gifted and enigmatic intellectual founded the Solesville Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people get on their feet through shoe and toy drive distributions, and pediatric AIDS prevention and awareness. Solesville is committed to its motto, “ Saving soles one step at a time.” Solesville donates shoes to Africa, South America, the Caribbean and The United States to prevent infectious diseases acquired through foot lesions.