Miami Beach, FL – May 17, 2016 –  Shinola hosted an informative Fashion for Breakfast at Cecconi’s at Soho Beach House. With 80 guests in attendance, the audience enthusiastically interacted in conversation with Shinola’s Creative Director, Daniel Caudill and Richard Lambertson, Shinola’s Co-Design Director of Leather Accessories. This conversation on community and craftsmanship was moderated by seasoned journalist, Horacio Silva. Education on the design process, brand background and Shinola’s plans for the future were a few of the topics discussed. Founded in 2011, Shinola was conceived with the belief that products should be well made and built to last. As makers of modern watches, bicycles, journals and leather goods, Shinola stands for skill at scale, the preservation of craft and the beauty of industry.

World Red Eye caught up with Shinola’s Creative Director Daniel Caudill, who gave a closer look into what makes this brand such a force to be reckoned with.

Miami has such a great community spirit and I think the people here take notice of how we interact with the cities where we open, through local events and partnerships.

Daniel Caudill, Creative Director of Shinola

WRE: What is it about the Shinola brand that appeals to the people of Miami?

DC: Miami has such a great community spirit and I think the people here take notice of how we interact with the cities where we open, through local events and partnerships. In Wynwood specifically, there’s a really similar creative vitality that aligns with our core values.

WRE: Where is the inspiration found to create the Shinola collections?

DC: Everywhere. Design inspiration comes from everything we’re exposed to—past, present, future. Detroit itself is an inspiration with a lot of amazing art and architecture. There’s a lot of creativity there.

WRE: What are some characteristics kept in mind when creating an item for the Shinola collection?

DC: Quality is the very first benchmark, and then the next thing is about making really clean design. Something that can last for years, that you want to have for years.

WRE: If you could describe the aesthetic of the Shinola collection in 3 words, what would they be?

DC: Quality, simple, and classic.

WRE: How do you see the Shinola brand expanding in 10 years? What can we expect?

DC: I think the possibilities are endless in terms of what we can do; we are growing rapidly, our employee count is at 530 and we plan to open another 5-8 stores this year alone. We will be expanding into other product categories, some expected and some unexpected. We’ll always stay committed to creating manufacturing jobs and bringing skills back to this country.

WRE: Shinola’s collection includes handbags, watches, bicycles and more. What unique item, accessory or good is next for Shinola?

DC: We have a few great women’s collections in the pipeline. We are launching a jewelry collection designed with Pamela Love for holiday, along with new watch styles that I think will be really well-received in Miami. We’re also launching audio products, starting with a turntable.

Quality is the very first benchmark, and then the next thing is about making really clean design. Something that can last for years, that you want to have for years.

Daniel Caudill, Creative Director of Shinola

WRE: When creating the Shinola items, what challenges do you face?

DC: Perfecting the quality and the design at the same time. A simple product is one of the hardest things to design. When the product is really simple, every single little part is under a microscope, so if there’s any one thing wrong it’s a big red flashing light. We don’t launch anything until it’s perfect.

WRE: What is the origin of the name, Shinola?

DC: It’s a nod to the former Shinola shoe polish company that operated in the mid 1900s, and the familiar phrase with the name that originated in WWII.

WRE: What is the key to making these items “built to last”?

DC: We want them to last in terms of quality AND design. We start with simplicity and always ask ourselves how you use the product in your life and go from there.