OUDER Smile Brand Story

The story begins at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in China, a prestigious institution known for cultivating talents in art and design. Monkey is one of its outstanding graduates. From a young age, he had a passion for design, showcasing exceptional design talent during his time at the academy. In university, Monkey wasn’t just a student buried in design studios; he was also an explorer and innovator. He participated in numerous national design competitions, winning several awards. His design style blended traditional Eastern aesthetics with modern elements, earning praise from peers and professors. After graduation, Monkey chose to stay in a small city in his hometown, working for a small but creatively vibrant design company. This company primarily designed clothing and accessories for local brands. Although the company was small, Monkey found a space for creative freedom. His keen eye for design trends and his ability to integrate traditional elements into modern designs resulted in stunning creations. In his spare time, Monkey enjoyed browsing various design websites and forums to stay updated on global design trends and concepts. By chance, he discovered the Ouder brand on a design blog. He was deeply attracted by Ouder’s unique design philosophy and innovative spirit, especially the brand’s style of combining nature with modernity. As a design enthusiast, Monkey decided to purchase a few pairs of Ouder shoes to personally experience their design and quality. Wearing Ouder shoes, Monkey felt the brand’s unique design philosophy and high-quality comfort. He shared his love for Ouder shoes on social media, detailing the design highlights and wearing experience of each pair. His posts garnered considerable attention and even received likes and recognition from Ouder’s official account. Through further research, Monkey found out that Ouder was looking for new designers, especially those with unique insights and taste in design. He saw this as a rare opportunity and a platform to realize his design dreams. He decided to proactively contact Ouder, showcasing his work and design philosophy to the brand team. The Ouder team was impressed by Monkey’s design talent and innovative spirit, quickly inviting him to join the brand. As a new member of Ouder, Monkey brought new vitality and creativity to the brand. With his unique design perspective, he perfectly blended traditional Eastern elements with modern fashion, creating a series of highly popular works that contributed significantly to Ouder’s success. Monkey’s story is not only a designer’s growth journey but also a passionate and innovative adventure. Through his efforts and talent, he has demonstrated an endless love and pursuit of design, becoming a shining star in the Ouder brand. Monkey's Innovations After joining Ouder, Monkey brought his unique design perspective and creativity to the brand. Building on Boyd's foundation, Monkey innovated further, creating several popular series. One of his signature works is the Smile Dreamer, Ouder's first collaboration with a renowned band. The Smile Dreamer merges Eastern elegance with modern minimalism, becoming a best-seller in the market. Following this, Monkey introduced the Smile Aphrodite, inspired by the goddess Aphrodite, symbolizing purity and beauty, and positioned as the brand's "wedding shoes." This series is not only uniquely designed but also expresses the pursuit of beauty through meticulous craftsmanship. Finally, Monkey's Smile Fusion uses zebra patterns as a base, cleverly integrating the Bagua symbol and various cultural elements, symbolizing the convergence and fusion of Eastern and Western cultures. This series' design is visually striking and deeply meaningful, earning high praise from consumers.

Marta graduated from the School of Art and Design at Politecnico di Milano. In this campus full of art and creativity, she displayed extraordinary design talent and creativity, spending two enriching and challenging years there. In the classroom, she studied diligently and actively participated in various design projects. In the studio, she explored the boundaries of design with her classmates, constantly challenging her creative abilities. During her university years, she won multiple scholarships and design competition awards, earning recognition from the academy and her peers. After graduation, Marta returned to Milan, a city renowned as the fashion capital. Here, she began her career as an assistant designer at a renowned design studio. Her job involved designing clothing and accessories for high-end fashion brands, requiring her to fully utilize her imagination and creativity with each design. Through her work, she learned to collaborate with teams, handle various design challenges, and establish her reputation in the industry. However, despite her significant career achievements, Marta still felt a deep inner longing. She craved more challenging and innovative projects to find a broader stage for her design talents. It was during this time that she met Boyd at a friend’s gathering, and they discovered many common interests, engaging in endless conversations. Boyd introduced her to his latest entrepreneurial project—Ouder, a footwear brand that blends fashion and creativity. Marta was captivated by this energetic and creative team and decided to take on the challenge, joining Ouder. As an important team member, she brought new inspiration and creativity to the brand, along with her rich design experience and professional knowledge, contributing to Ouder’s successful development. Marta's Innovations Hailing from Italy, Marta joined Ouder with a bold concept, creating a new branch of Ouder—the Sand Dune Clog series. Inspired by new-concept shoes and trend forecasts, Marta conducted in-depth research on shoe shapes and materials, creating the unique Ouder Clogs. Her design boldly innovates by perfectly combining fashion and comfort, breaking the conventional stereotype of clogs and giving them new life. The Sand Dune series stands out not only in appearance but also in functionality and comfort, quickly gaining market recognition.

Our story begins with Boyd, the founder of Ouder. As a typical Virgo, Boyd’s reserved nature never hindered his desire for a friendly, smile-filled atmosphere, even though his choice in footwear often seemed outdated. It wasn’t until he met a creative genius at Aalto University that a footwear revolution began. Boyd had a strong interest in design and innovation from a young age, but his journey wasn’t always smooth. He often felt out of sync with fashion trends but was determined to create something unique. With this passion, he embarked on his educational journey at Aalto University. At Aalto University, Boyd met a kindred spirit, a creative partner whose inspiration perfectly aligned with Boyd’s vision. Together, they decided to create a distinctive line of shoes. After countless attempts and explorations, they finally developed Ouder’s signature smiley sneakers. Initially, Boyd wasn’t immediately drawn to these smiley sneakers, but with a playful push, they evolved into the perfect casual sneakers, reflecting Boyd’s everyday essence. His wife was initially surprised but soon realized these shoes were not just a symbol of youthful fashion but also a bold expression of personal identity. Thus, Ouder was born. Our name is a play on the word “Outer,” symbolizing our mission to explore the boundaries of individuality and creativity. Our logo captures this mission, serving as a testament to our commitment to continuous innovation and growth. Stepping into Ouder means every pair of shoes is a step towards expressing your unique style. The birth of the Ouder brand was not an overnight success. It embodies the countless hours of hard work and relentless effort from Boyd and his team. They understood that creating a charming and high-quality shoe was not just about design and production but also about attention to detail and a dedication to quality. In the early days of the brand, Ouder faced numerous challenges and difficulties. The market was fiercely competitive, and funds were tight, but they always stayed true to their beliefs and resolutely followed their path. They continuously improved and innovated, launching a series of eye-catching products that won more and more consumers' love and recognition. As time went on, the Ouder brand gradually emerged, becoming a dark horse in the fashion world. Their smiley sneakers were not only popular in the fashion circle but also became a fashion symbol for young people, representing uniqueness and individuality. Today, Ouder has weathered many storms but has always maintained its original intention and pursuit of excellence. In the future, they will continue to uphold the concepts of innovation and quality, continuously launching more high-quality products, bringing more surprises and delightful experiences to consumers. Boyd, as the founder of the Ouder brand, his story is not just about personal growth and struggle, but also about the birth and development of a brand. Through his actions, he has demonstrated the spirit of Virgo—his pursuit of perfection and relentless effort have created today’s Ouder, a shining star in the fashion industry. Boyd's Masterpieces As one of Ouder's founders, Boyd is known for his collecting habits and love for beautiful things. He infused these traits into his designs, creating Ouder's Canvas Regular series. Boyd loves to systematically organize and collect various colors and elements, a unique hobby that sparks his creative inspiration. Ouder's first iconic series, the Ouder Smile, was born from this concept. After launching the Ouder Smile, Boyd introduced the Smile Avocountry model. The green hue and unique texture of the Smile Avocountry quickly won market favor, becoming a hit product. Encouraged by this success, Boyd went on to design the complete color series for Ouder’s basics, offering a diverse and artistically rich palette that provides consumers with a wealth of choices.