Images courtesy of KANOVITCH

Kevin Novitch took his first step into the sneaker game at age six. Not in his signature KANOVITCH kicks—but in a pair of high-top, light up—LA Gears. He'd received the shoes as a gift from his father, returning from business in Florida. Hard enough to come by in the states, these sneakers were a marvel in Paris. People were in awe of Kevin—stopping him on the street, asking to borrow them for special occasions (birthdays), and dying to know where they could snag a pair. It was at that time that Kevin learned impact—and that it could be in something as simple as a pair of kicks.

Fast forward to 2020, and Kevin Novitch is the head of a new, and soon to be iconic footwear line called KANOVITCH. The luxury brand, (in the works for a few years), began officially in 2019 and has been steadily picking up steam. It centrifuges the creator's understanding of European couture with bold American influence to create a luxurious, show stopping brand. It’s also deeply rooted in the designer’s values—a formative understanding of love, and fashion as an expression of that sentiment. It's no surprise KANOVITCH has not only caught the eyes of more enlightened fashion commentators—but with celebrities as well.

Creative Director & Founder of KANOVITCH, Kevin Novitch, chilling in a pair of his signature kicks.

EYES & EDGE: When did you take an interest in fashion?

KEVIN NOVITCH: I’ve always loved fashion—since I was a child. I was largely influenced by my mother’s excellent taste.

EE: When did you decide to start pursuing fashion as a career?

KN: I began the launch of this project 5 years ago.

EE: Do you have any formative childhood memories which inspired you to do what you’re doing today?

KN: Yes. When I was younger my father lived in Florida. When he came back he brought me a pair of black L.A Gear Lights, with the light up backs. I’ll never forget the response of the other children when I went back to school. They were mad for them! I’ve always remembered this moment working with what I do with footwear today.

EE: How long has the brand been around?

KN: Officially, since December 2019. But like I said, I started the project 5 years ago. I came from another industry—it's taken time to segue into this.

EE: Did you originally launch in Paris, or the United States? When did you make the transition to Miami?

KN: I launched officially in Paris for Press, Media, and Buyers last June. Then we developed the website last winter. The transition to Miami has been made naturally. I attended school in Miami for Business Management, and have traveled back and forth ever since.

KANOVITCH sneaker detail—precious metal accessories, and the sweetness of leather.

EE: What inspires your color palettes and seasonal inspiration?

KN: My vision of life. I like colorful sneakers, minimalism, and a touch of eccentricity. A bit of hype is always appreciated. I like that, or the total opposite. Something full black or full white.

EE: Definitely identify with that aesthetic.

KN: I enjoy polar opposites and eccentricities—radical differences.

EE: Your shoes are such a beautiful expression of luxury—how did you come up with the concept?

KN: It was in a dream. I got this beautiful idea, and went straight to draw the sketch. I can’t explain why and how, but I always say if you can dream it, you can do it. I did.

EE: Where are the shoes produced?

KN: Designed in Paris, made in Italy. Civitanova Marche, the earth of the shoe industry.

EE: What inspires a new collection?

KN: This new collection is inspired by basketball, and metal cable. The concept will also be carried over to different footwear styles besides just sneakers. Boots for winter, sandals for summer, etc. Kanovitch is a technical mix between precious metal accessories, and the sweetness of leather.

EE: Most luxury shoes are so heavy and clunky—but they’re sneakers not boots. You get that. Yours are different—what’s your philosophy there?

KN: If it’s not comfortable—forget it. I pay close attention to craft the most comfy, luxury sneakers. I wanted to create something you can wear more often.

EE: What inspires you as a person?

KN: God, mom, dad, love, music, modern art, sports. Fashion is about love.

EE: Love that. So. What keeps you on track?

KN: The fact that I’m still involved in another fast paced industry. I’m more focused. My other world for the past 8 years, has been as a celebrity agent for the European/Middle Eastern market. That actually motivated me to create the brand as well. I saw a huge opportunity for marketing a beautiful, unique luxury product to celebs.

EE: How have you been coping with COVID-19?

KN: In situations, one must adapt. I canceled the representation for the next fashion weeks in Paris & Milano. Changed the calendar of production in Italy. And I keep going to work on Social Media. But there’s a positive. We get time to create instead of having to rush as we have in the past.

EE: How has COVID-19 impacted your business?

KN: Covid19 impacted the entire economy. Fashion got slapped hard. Our factories in Italy closed for 3 months. (Italy was the first country in Europe, and of course the most impacted by the virus.) And when you are an upcoming brand, you're not the priority for factory hierarchy. And Of course, people are focused on what they're going to eat, or if they can still pay bills—not spending money on luxury shopping at the moment. Health is much more important than material things.

EE: You have a very strong, beautiful brand. How did you decide on logos & accents?

KN: Thank you. Everything was in my mind. The logo represents a vice in the middle, with KANOVITCH—a mix of my nickname and name. The brand is formed on the pillars of purity, minimalism—a touch of arrogance. (Arrogance, because people told me that I had no chance to do something in this industry , with the same level of quality as other big brands in the market.) I’m a very humble person, I just love to take risks.

EE: What makes shoes such an important element as a designer?

Shoes are like watches. It is an object that allows you to differentiate socially. Not by wealth or anything like that. But aesthetic, tone, and taste.

We come from a generation that attends weddings with a suit and a pair of sneakers. We changed the code. We set the tone. Growing up with the gradual rise of Hip Hop & Street Culture changed the code. Clean sneakers are definitely a staple in the look of today. Just like a solid timepiece.

A Spring/Summer line-up of KANOVITCH, low top, sneakers crafted with love.

EE: Who are other designers you look up to?

KN: Yojhi Yamamoto from Y-3—we talk about minimalism and purity. Their brand is the result of a perfect balance.

Carlo Rivetti—not the designer but, creator and founder of Stone island. (The research about the technical material that they use has always impressed me. Been wearing them since it long before Drake pushed it a few seasons ago. That brand goes back for me to when I was 15.

Ronnie Fieg from Kith. How a guy from New York streetwear can talk with Donatella Versace or Tommy Hilfinger and say let’s put my logo on your classics and we’re gonna’ be sold out in 40 minutes…Just…HOW?

And of course GOAT, Chaz Jordan, (my boy of course from Ih Nom Un It doing sick work). Also with his new brand with Offset from the Migos.

Jeremy Meeks with a new pair of KANOVITCH kicks.

EE: Where can people snag your super cool kicks?

KN: Currently you can only purchase direct via. www.kanovitch.com. However, we are considering some big department stores. I also want to see the brand in some special high-tech & luxury concept stores.

EE: Next steps for the brand?

KN: Sitting at the table with investors, to make the shoes available worldwide. We’ve received a bunch of inquiries, but are doing things step by step. I really want to work with the right people—with experience.

EE: What do you do for fun?

KN: I create.