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40 under 40: Meet Paige Rimko

Monday, 27 February 2023

Paige Rimko
Every Monday, we are celebrating one of our 40 under 40 makers.

This week we are talking to Paige Rimko. A shoemaker based in Cleveland, USA with a passion for anything leather and will jump into any project.

Let's get to know her with our Q&A.

Tell us a bit about what you do? 

I am a shoemaker based in Cleveland, OH, USA. I have a basement studio where I make shoes, bags and small leather goods in. I also currently work for a small sneaker brand making custom sneakers. I love all things leather and will jump in to any project that comes my way.


How did you get into making leather goods? / What, or maybe who inspired you to start making?

I began my leather life with a degree in Accessory design from the Savannah College of art and Design in Georgia, USA. I went to school with the intention of getting into the fashion program but I watched a shoemaking demo and decided that a shoemaking career would be the coolest thing I could imagine. I started off with small leather projects, moved to handbags and ended up falling in love with shoe making.

What is your favourite product to make/favourite commission piece?

I would have to say that making a pair of shoes is still the most rewarding product but I also love making products that I have never made before.




What do you love most about working with leather?

Leather is such a unique material. I love how versatile it is. I also love how rewarding it is. That after a day (or a few days of work) I can walk away with a brand-new product. I think the longevity of leather also draws me to it because I can make a product that might outlive me if it is taken care of and that is not the case with a lot of materials.

What are your next goals/ Have you got any exciting new projects lined up?

I would love to release a small collection of shoes and bags that people can buy from my own website. At the moment I do work for other, slightly larger brands and I want to put out my own products. I want to create a collection that represents me as a maker and designer.


What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about becoming a leather worker or who has just started out?

Becoming a leatherworker is a challenging career path because you learn something new every time you make something. I think my best advice would be to continue learning every day. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Read books and ask questions. Also spend some time to learn knife sharpening skills. This is something that I still need to improve on, and I think it would improve the quality of my products.
 

What does it mean to you to be included on the 40 under 40 list?

This is really special for me because I feel I have been working hard on my career and this seems like a step in the right direction. I also feel that this award mentions people that have a lot of opportunity for growth so I can’t wait to keep growing with this award under my belt. It feels great to be listed next to so many great makers.

 

How important do you think it is to keep traditional techniques alive in the modern world?

I think that finding a balance of traditional and modern techniques is key. I think you have to respect the traditions of leathercraft, footwear, etc. and apply some of these techniques but there is always room for innovation. Finding a way to apply both ends of that spectrum is very important.
 

What have you done to keep relevant in a digital age?

I think that social media has helped immensely and has connected me with people all over the world. I currently use Instagram as a version of a portfolio to share my work using photos and videos. Instagram, specifically, has helped me get a job and has connected me with business owners that need products made.
I think if we can use social media as a tool and focus on using it to connect, share and support other makers then it is a wonderful thing.


What is the biggest challenge to becoming successful in your discipline?

I think, as I mentioned previously, learning is a huge part of leatherworking and shoemaking. You must be open to failing and messing up. You also have to have a lot of confidence in yourself, which is sometimes tiring but usually pays off in the end. I also think that as a leatherworker, selling my leather goods is a very challenging task for me because it forces me to promote myself, which I don’t like doing. I just genuinely love making products and continuing this leather journey.

For more information, please visit www.paigerimko.com/primshop/
To join this network of great makers, please follow Paige's Instagram page HERE