Chantal Nchako is carving a niche for herself with her vegan and cruelty-free shoe brand, Choobiz. Founded in 2007, each shoe is handcrafted by Italian artisans in Le Marche, Italy.
Every pair of shoes is designed using Italian leather, vegan leather, suede, organic canvas, special materials, prints, and limited-edition textiles. Nchako conceptualizes each design with her mother.
Nchako, who’s an actor in the New York theatre scene, on television and in feature films, created Choobiz to represent her philosophy of living in the moment and for one’s purpose. She chatted with Elixuer about her creation process, and what’s in store for her luxury shoe brand.
What inspired you to create a luxury vegan shoe brand?
I wanted to create a shoe line that connected to my African heritage, my love for Italy, and my lifestyle.
Tell us more about how each shoe is and handcrafted in Italy.
Skilled artisans create each pair with quality, precision, and unique design features. Each shoe is carefully customized and handcrafted. This takes time, from the designing of the shoe to the curating of the materials, to ensuring that each shoe retains a consistent finish.
How many hours would it take a craftsman to hand-make a pair of shoes, like the Choobiz plain luxe sandal?
Each Choobiz shoe is made to order in about two weeks. We use vegan leather and incorporate a porcelain heel, ensuring each detail reflects our commitment to elegance and exclusivity.
What does Choobiz symbolize?
Choobiz symbolizes my persona with creativity and professional identity. It combines “Choo,” a nickname my mother calls me, with “showbiz.” When I graduated from college, my brother helped me craft the name.
What makes a pair of Choobiz unique?
What makes each shoe unique is their accessibility and commitment to quality. I chose vegan leather to ensure they’re inclusive and sustainable. With two styles launched, I plan to grow the collection. Choobiz is exclusive, and I take pride in its comfort, versatility, and durability.
What does your design and ideation process look like?
My design and ideation process isn’t fixed; it varies. My mother is my partner in everything I do, and I highly value her opinion.
When an idea strikes, I often consult her first. Together, we verbalize the concept, and her sketching skills usually bring the exact model I envision to life.
Are you working on any new designs right now?
I’m developing a children’s shoe design, inspired by a memory from Cameroon. As a child, my feet grew quickly, and while waiting for shoes ordered from the US, my mother created “peep toe sneakers” by cutting holes in the toes of my old sneakers and drawing on them. Initially embarrassed, I was pleasantly surprised by the positive reactions from classmates.
This experience sparked the idea for the Choobiz shoe line, and I’m excited to bring this innovation to our new children’s line.
When it comes to style, who or what inspires you?
I find inspiration in the elegance of old Hollywood and the flair of the Elizabethan era. Icons like Audrey Hepburn, Diana Ross, and Elizabeth Taylor have greatly influenced my taste. Plus, my mom, who’s a fashionista, has always been a source of inspiration — I loved watching her get dressed and apply makeup when I was growing up.
As a woman entrepreneur, what are some challenges you’ve faced in your journey?
I’ve encountered challenges because people sometimes struggle to place me neatly into one category, due to my diverse background and heritage. I speak French, English, and Italian fluently, and I have a background in equestrianism and skiing.
I’m also passionate about Shakespeare and proud of my African heritage. These added interests and skills have occasionally led to misunderstandings, once people discover the breadth and depth of what I bring to the table.
Shweta Gandhi | Contributing Writer
