Totems are symbolic objects that carry meaning beyond their physical form. They are found in diverse cultures across the world and are often used to represent ancestral connections, spiritual guardianship, or communal identity. These objects serve as vessels of memory, linking the present to histories both personal and collective.
In many traditions, totems take the form of carved figures, masks, animals, or abstract motifs. They are treated with reverence and are often central to rituals, storytelling, and rites of passage. A totem may embody the spirit of a protector, an ancestor, or a guiding force, and it is believed to hold power not only through its form but also through the intent with which it is made and kept.
At our Studio, we were drawn to the idea of the totem as a carrier of presence. Rather than replicate the sacred symbols of existing communities, we sought to create our own totemic form, one that reflects our values, our process, and our relationship to craft. The result is a wearable object that is not simply decorative, but intentional.
The Totem sneaker is our studio’s attempt to translate the symbolic function of sacred objects into a contemporary wearable form. It is shaped through material memory, intuitive symbolism, and meticulous handcraft. It draws from the idea of the totem as a guardian that observes, protects, and carries the weight of cultural memory. Wearing this creates a sense of sacred closeness, as if the wearer is walking with something that holds presence.