# Fancy Hybrid Footwear Nick Maloy Creates Subtly Tweaked Classic Handcrafted Shoes By Meghan Young | Published 2011-12-15 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nick-maloy References: [core77](http://www.core77.com/blog/footwear/design_doing_the_handcrafted_footwear_of_nick_maloy_21316.asp) & [coroflot](http://www.coroflot.com/nmaloy) Nick Maloy is a talented young designer who happens to dabble in all of his interests from packaging to automobiles. Yet, it is his [handcrafted footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/john-fluevog) that really steals the show. Taking classic silhouettes and subtly altering them for a [customized and unconventional look](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/metropole-seoul-derby), Nick Maloy is sure to become a popular shoe designer. The cream of the crop has to be a pair of oxfords that are noticeably inspired by sneakers. As the images demonstrate, Nick Maloy has extended the sole in such a way as to mimic a traditional running shoe while maintaining the typical style of an oxford throughout the body. Since he left his position as a shoe designer at Kenneth Cole, Nick Maloy has delved purely into his own creative style ideas and these designs are a clear representation of his talent. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.7/10 - Popularity: 52% | Activity: 52% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/shoes) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Handcrafted Hybrid Footwear:** Opportunity for designers to combine traditional and unconventional elements to create unique and customized shoes. - **Subtle Alterations:** Demand for footwear designs that incorporate small modifications to classic silhouettes for a more unconventional look. - **Sneaker-inspired Styles:** Growing popularity of footwear that combines the comfort and aesthetics of sneakers with the formal style of oxfords. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Fashion Design:** Designers can explore innovative techniques and materials to create hybrid footwear designs. - **Footwear Manufacturing:** Manufacturers can capitalize on the demand for handcrafted and modified footwear styles by incorporating unique production methods. - **Retail and E-commerce:** Retailers and online platforms can cater to the increasing consumer interest in unconventional and custom-made footwear designs. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Incredibly Sophisticated Boot Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sophisticated-boot-design.md) - [Couture Technical Sneaker Models](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/juntae-kim.md) - [Loafer-Style Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-balance-1906l.md) - [Modern Sophisticated Footwear Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flex-oxford-collection.md) - [Bold Sneaker Design Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nothing-cmf.md) - [Hybrid Sneaker-Inspired Boots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/luca-chukka-sneaker-boot.md) - [Loafer-Sneaker Hybrid Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-croc.md) - [Sneaker Hybrid Loafer Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/1906l.md) - [Ultra-Elegant Unisex Leather Boots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unisex-leather-boot.md)