Shoes With Soul

Mar 5, 2013

•

by PaulJax

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On the fourth floor of an old factory site in St. Petersburg, Vladimir Grigoryev of AFOUR Custom is handcrafting his dream. Fueled by his lifelong passion for shoes, he and his small team create colorful custom shoes for men and women, shipped from Russia with love.

Paul Jax and Niclas Loeffler are a filmmaking duo based in Munich, Germany under the name of We Make Them Wonder. They have a passion for making portraits about people who dedicate their lives to their passion.

Music by Matt Abeysekera.

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PaulJax

Laura Hale from FoundBeautyStudioArt said 5 years ago Featured

Holy moley, this is brilliant! While stories of success are inspiring, the most inspiring stories to me are the ones that pick up after a failure. Most of us do not succeed at our first, second, heck - even our tenth try at finding success. Learning how to deal with failure is, I think, the most important lesson a maker can learn. Thank you for sharing your story.
Jean from Meanjeanarts said 5 years ago Featured

Wonderful shoes! The designs, colors and craftsmanship...beautiful. I'm glad Vladimir didn't give up. It is heartening to see this story coming out of Russia. I am constantly impressed with and inspired by the amazing creative people I "meet" through Etsy.

111 comments

LivingVintage from LivingVintage said 5 years ago

Wonderful!
Desiree from ArtDecoDame said 5 years ago

I really like the croco black and brown pair!
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 5 years ago

Love :)
Marie R. from Storyfied said 5 years ago

It was great to see what all goes into making a pair of shoes! I'm impressed. These are great shoes.
Valerie from valeriestitchery said 5 years ago

I'm so jealous! If there is one skill I wish I possessed, it would be the ability to make my own shoes.
Emily Hingston from PaperScissorsPop said 5 years ago

Beautiful shoes. And a lovely story. I am so happy you didn't give up.. your shoes are a work of art! And Russia looks beautiful.
HelloShoes from HelloShoes said 5 years ago

Wow great shoes great work:)
Natalie Atkins from underneaththeoaktree said 5 years ago

Nice shoes!
IKA PARIS from ikabags said 5 years ago

oh beautiful !
Patrick from EdelweissPost said 5 years ago

The colors, fanciful. The details, alluring. A wonderful thing it is, Vladimir realizing his dream... and having the opportunity to live it.
D George from GeorgieGirlLLC said 5 years ago

Awesome video! I haven't been able to quit my day job and I work with a lady from Russia and love to listen to her talk.
Jane Priser from JanePriserArts said 5 years ago

Wonderfully crafted shoes!! Fabulous!
Amy Gunderson from amysfunkyfibers said 5 years ago

Wow! Amazing work,color and design!
Rodinia from ShopRodinia said 5 years ago

Amazing craftsmanship, great designs!
Laura Stark from laurastark said 5 years ago

A beautiful and energizing video! I love seeing people craft spectacular items across the globe.
Alisa from AlisaDesign said 5 years ago

Awesome interview and very inspiring work! You are so talented, Vladimir! I wish you good luck and I'm really happy that you didn't give up! The meaning of your name speaks for itself! ;)
Alisa from AlisaDesign said 5 years ago

The meaning of your name speaks for itself! ;) Awesome work and interview! I wish you good luck and a lot of inspiration, Vladimir!
Natalie Jacob from EtymologyJewelry said 5 years ago

Love these!
Martha Layton Smith from opendoorstudio said 5 years ago

wanting a pair... they are amazing!
Elisabeth Miranda from SweetElisabeth said 5 years ago

Amazing! Wonderful shoes! Inspiring guy! Makes me want to forget about the dishes and the laundry and rush back out to the studio! Best of Luck! Your shoes are wonderful!
Matejka Max from NattyMatty said 5 years ago

Pretty chic!
Giselle from MyArtAndFashion said 5 years ago

Very nice video, wonderful designs Congratulations Vladimir to follow your dream!!
Giselle from MyArtAndFashion said 5 years ago

Very nice video. Wonderful designs. Congratulations Vladimir for following your dream!!
Nider from Niderart said 5 years ago

Very nice video. Wonderful designs. Congratulations Vladimir for following your dream!!
rosebudsvintage from WillowsWear said 5 years ago

Congrats, on your beautiful, amazing product, so glad you didn't become a famous skateboarder, your talent is not to be wasted. I am glad that you mentioned about our conception in regard to what Russia is like and what can be accomplished there, you are sure a very fine example of the determination that is common among all of us if we believe in ourselves. Keep up the nice work and living your dream.
Ilse from drudruchu said 5 years ago

Very inspiring story and beautiful shoes! It's always so nice to see people following their dream and succeeding.
Peshka from Peshka said 5 years ago

Beautiful shoes!!!!
mazedasastoat from mazedasastoat said 5 years ago

Hand made shoes are a necessity in my life, I haven't worn any other kind for over 30 years!
Lynsey from lmouer said 5 years ago

Love this story/video. Very inspiring. I love seeing people do what they love and then becoming successful from it. So many people settle these days and just give up. We are capable of doing what we love, we just have to be determined to do it.
Lynsey from lmouer said 5 years ago

Beautiful story and very inspiring. Thank you for sharing!
Lil said 5 years ago

Congrats Vladimir!!! What an inspiring story and amazing video! Love your shoe designs! May you continue to have more blessings and reach higher heights!
Maria from StyleGraphicDesign said 5 years ago

Brilliant!!!
Elisabeth Percival from ElisabethSpace said 5 years ago

Beautiful video of your creative process and space. I wish you much success.
Monica from ThreeBarDGifts said 5 years ago

Wonderful story! It's so great to see dreams come true! Your designs are amazing and I enjoyed watching over your shoulder while you created. Congrats to you and may you have continued success!
Erika Kelly from PortlandApronCompany said 5 years ago

That was extremely inspiring. Thank you so much for making that video :-)
Laura Hale from FoundBeautyStudioArt said 5 years ago Featured

Holy moley, this is brilliant! While stories of success are inspiring, the most inspiring stories to me are the ones that pick up after a failure. Most of us do not succeed at our first, second, heck - even our tenth try at finding success. Learning how to deal with failure is, I think, the most important lesson a maker can learn. Thank you for sharing your story.
Lorena Balea-Raitz from BaleaRaitzART said 5 years ago

Funky designs!
Pat Parker from PatsPottery said 5 years ago

I had never realized that making shoes was a art and a craft until I went to a workshop at Penland. There I saw the most beautiful shoes being made, in my spare time from my pottery:>)
QWorks from QWorks said 5 years ago

Love your designs! good work :)
Katie McBride from EdenPillows said 5 years ago

great story, beautiful shoes - love it!
Cristina N. from Fr33na said 5 years ago

what a beautiful story ! good luck and i'll be keeping an eye on women styles on your shop :)
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 5 years ago

Great work!
Hollie M Kelley from thedustycaravan said 5 years ago

Beautiful shoes! I assume when you order a pair of them you just convo them your size and they make them to order? There's not much explanation in their product descriptions which might confuse some people...
Trisha from ScissorwizardDesigns said 5 years ago

Wonderful story! Love your shoes ♥
Marietta from blueroompottery said 5 years ago

Wonderful video and work! Oh, I want a pair of those beautiful red shoes, they look so comfortable! I wish you continued success!! :)
Daniela Prchalová from AtelierDaniely said 5 years ago

sensational!
Merle Kasonen from Mekadorn said 5 years ago

Great video! Cool shoes!
VINTAGE NOW from ESTATENOW said 5 years ago

Great shoes, love the Red ones..
Fai from faima said 5 years ago

Adorable!
H88255 from HillarysSuperfoods said 5 years ago

You can customize!
indre from HelloMyGoddess said 5 years ago

beautiful!!! love it! great shoes!!!!!
Vorbild from vorbild said 5 years ago

Love the leatherwork.
Jean from Meanjeanarts said 5 years ago Featured

Wonderful shoes! The designs, colors and craftsmanship...beautiful. I'm glad Vladimir didn't give up. It is heartening to see this story coming out of Russia. I am constantly impressed with and inspired by the amazing creative people I "meet" through Etsy.
lola from dearvintagecupboard said 5 years ago

My husband and I loved the video and shoes! Suggestion for AFOUR: open a PayPal account to receive customer payments easier and faster.
Terry from Parachute425 said 5 years ago

Love the shoes! Very inspiring story. Great video. Much success to Vladimir and his team.
FreakyPeas from FreakyPeas said 5 years ago

wow...it seems as though you could not put a price tag on these shoes. They are priceless
Audrey Pounder from AudreysArtistry said 5 years ago

Very nice!
Antoinette from AntoinettesWhims said 5 years ago

Love the classic yet updated look of your shoes!
Uxibal from Uxibal said 5 years ago

Thanks for sharing! Great work.
funnydays from funnydays said 5 years ago

Beautiful shoes!!!!
Marina Dorokhova said 5 years ago

Классные шузы! Жаль, что женских моделей нет. Прикупила бы.
Linda from lovelygifts said 5 years ago

Very nice!!
Emma st clair Smith from BostonStClair said 5 years ago

Such cool shoes!
Emma st clair Smith from BostonStClair said 5 years ago

such cool shoes :)
Sharlynn Bridges from Ashar said 5 years ago

Beautiful story and talent. Thank you for sharing.
Irene from Erinbonnie said 5 years ago

this was so inspiring. It reminds me so much of me!! I have a passion with shoes myself. Its easy to start an idea but more difficult to continue and fulfill it. congrats to this man, he set a great example of believing in your dream
Vladimir Grigoryev from AFOURCustom said 5 years ago

@Hollie M Kelley. Yes, that's right! Each pair is sewn under the selected its buyer. We will try to add more description info_) @Lola. We will try in the near future to open an account and link to the ETSY. It's a shame that Paypal can not directly withdraw money in Russia. But that will not stop our desire to make shoes of our dreams for all . @Marina Dorokhova. На нашем сайте все наши модели доступны для заказа с 35 по 48 размер. Также мы работаем над сугубо женскими моделями_) Thank you very much for your kind words and warm welcome. Follow your dreams_)
Admin

Audrey said 5 years ago

Really inspiring video! Thanks for sharing your story.
lidija mik from TutorialGirl said 5 years ago

Nice shoes and story too, I love it.
Elmira from ExclusiveHats said 5 years ago

Класс!!! Молодцы !!!! Удачи во всём!!!!!
Maya Gencic from Tilissimo said 5 years ago

Such a gorgeous video, with beautiful music and filled with emotion. And of course, amazingly beautiful shoes!! Go Vladimir!! :)))
Joanne Dohr from Dogdohr said 5 years ago

Find something you love and get paid to do it! A dream come true!
Linda Eliseussen from LindaFromNorway said 5 years ago

Beautiful video and a lovely story :o) Kind regards Linda
CreatiKnit from CreatiKnit said 5 years ago

Just lovely!
mik wright from thoseshoes said 5 years ago

great story & video, so glad you are making your dream happen. i am a self taught shoe maker who stuck to my dream. after 35 years i am still rolling along. step light, be happy. loving etsy.
Terri Garcia from TerriGarciaDesigns said 5 years ago

We're never too young (or old) to follow our dream. Keep up the good work!
Gloria Flynn from EarthEnergyGemstones said 5 years ago

This is such an inspiring story! Shoes are something everyone can relate to but I don't think many of us can even imagine the process for making them. Not only did we learn about this talented man and the pursuit of his dream, but we had the opportunity to see what it takes to make a pair of shoes! I loved it! Thank you, Etsy!
Julie Rocha from LoveFlowersCrochet said 5 years ago

Amazing story:)
Sheila McBryde from vintagejewelryanew said 5 years ago

Wow, that was very inspiring. Amazing craftsmanship and detail in your shoes!
Jeanne B from PruAtelier said 5 years ago

Day by day I am more impressed with what is coming from all the hidden talent let loose in Russia....so many talented people! Indeed you are steadfast in following your dream as shoe-making was one of my dreams too years ago. Congratulations to you and your shoes look wonderfully comfortable!
damanikharidesigns from damanikharidesigns said 5 years ago

From the bottom of my heart I congratulate you for accomplishing your goal. Failure s not all that bad! It makes you stronger and more determined to be better than before. Right before I read your story, I read an article about realizing dreams. It's a sign in some way, because it is also my dream to work as a full time shoe designer. Thank you for your beautiful story and I wish you much success. LOVE your shoes! Awesome styles.
virginie lykins from anordicrose said 5 years ago

Very inspiring !
Marc Gounard from marcgounard said 5 years ago

what a great story, thanks... best of luck in selling to the world , you should do very well with such beautiful shoes, thinking to order some red ones, its been maybe 20 years since the last pair of bright red shoes!!!
Natasha Sparrow from TinyBrook said 5 years ago

Awesome video! I love st. petersburg with all my heart!
Oleksandr Iefimov from Sunny0mood said 5 years ago

Useful, bright and informative video. I love Russia!
Meropi Toumbas from MeropisArtJewelry said 5 years ago

Amazing video!!! Thank you
Shannon Meyer from silentmagician said 5 years ago

Beautifully done and very inspiring. Thanks for sharing!
Nyuta Orlova from EjaEjovna said 5 years ago

Amazing! I love it! Thank you for this beautiful video!
Sol Maldonado from bySol said 5 years ago

lindo! thanks!!
Signe from leafamore said 5 years ago

Wonderful story! Congratulations on your success! Love!
Marie Louise from PetiteMalou said 5 years ago

Beautiful story and great shoes!
Sue Allemand from SueAllemandArt said 5 years ago

WOW -- Wonderful! Love your designs!! Congratulations on persevering and attaining your success!
Eve from MyLittleFrenchShop said 5 years ago

Merci!
Anastasia from LAccentNou said 5 years ago

Love it! Congrtulation on bringing in life your dream!
FreshFromtheFlame from FreshFromtheFlame said 5 years ago

Just beautiful.Love to see the process. Love the shoes too!
Kathryn from cherrylippedroses said 5 years ago

...and, THAT, is the expression of the SOLE of an artist...I adored this...a new motto: I WEAR MY OWN SHOES
Natalia from Luganika said 5 years ago

You have found the essence of your work which, I think, has brought you success,that is we have many choices as for things to buy, but few of them can really help a person to express herself, and this is where the craftman enters the sceen, as it seems to me that help others to express themselves is what moves a craftman or craftwoman forward.
Matilde Cánepa González from matildecanepaArtnow said 5 years ago

What a beautiful dedication. Very loving work resulted in shoes. and has a cute cat!. Luck!
Carol Holum from BeadToLive said 5 years ago

Watching that video makes me want to buy his shoes!
Sheila Andreana Sewall from Bibocks said 5 years ago

Thank you for over coming the odds within yourself. We are often our greatest competition. Glorious work with real heart can not be faked or surpassed. Thank you for making an opening that allows all of us to dream and believe in something more authentic. Blessings and peace,
Susan Norwood from GreenleeAndVine said 5 years ago

Beautiful video! Thank you!!
Catherine Brawner from catherinebrawner said 5 years ago

So moving! Yeah, whatever, of course I cried. What a super job We Make Them Wonder did with such an inspirational artist! I love hearing stories like this from around the globe. Thanks to everyone involved for giving us a beautiful message! xo
Kallio from KallioNYC said 5 years ago

What an inspiration story!! It seems to be the story of all Etsy makers. Spread across the globe and seemingly against all odds, we are creating our own destinies by doing what we love. That is Success!!!
Kimberly Joy from backstitched said 5 years ago

Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful story. I'll remind myself of this video those days that I'm alone in my studio feeling frustrated and overwhelmed... and then I'll remember that I too am fulfilling my dream, and no matter how slowly it feels it is going, that I am working towards something big...at least for me : ) thanks again!
TB1326 said 5 years ago

BRAVO!
Somjai from SmileBag said 5 years ago

I like your story, Thanks.
Tania Joanis from behefactory said 5 years ago

Very inspiring story. Thank you.
Donnie from DonniesDiscounts said 5 years ago

the title should have read: from russia with love
GemdropsoftheFalls from GemdropsoftheFalls said 5 years ago

Love! Very inspiring. Congrats!
Doris Clark from dcartwork said 5 years ago

What a wonderful, inspiring story! Thank you for sharing.
Holly from HollyGraefFineArt said 5 years ago

This is a beautiful movie, and it's so wonderful to see people using their talents and expressing themselves. Thanks for the inspiration!

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