We knew after the first minute of hearing Sudie sing, that we just had to chat with her for Malibu Mondays.

We are so excited to introduce you to an incredibly talented woman who is taking the Dallas music scene by storm. Growing up traveling the world (she went to high school in Dubai), Sudie began writing songs at age four. By the time she was 25, the singer and producer released her self-titled EP. She also wrote, directed, and starred in all of her music videos. Described as strong, experimental, and intriguing, her music is often inspired by her own life. Her lyrics are bold statements and she has a special way of connecting with her listeners. Read on to learn more about this singing siren.

Everyone: Meet Sudie.

How long have you been singing? What inspires you?

I have been singing for my whole life! I wrote my first song when I was 4 (one that was remembered until today, because I know I made songs up all the time on the fly) and I started taking singing lessons around the age of 5. I’ve been studying music ever since, and now I get to teach it too! As a creative, inspiration comes in many shapes, forms, sizes, emotions, people, relationships, food, movies, etc… I could go on forever.

Where are you from and how has that shaped you?

I was born in Florida, moved to Texas for a while, then off to Atlanta, studied High School in Dubai, UAE, came back to Texas to study Opera at Southern Methodist University and have been here ever since (Dallas). Being a daughter of a pilot I was gifted the opportunity to be exposed to different cultures and environments, that directly influenced the music I was surrounded by and what kind of creative outlet I had access to.

When I started taking lessons, I was very young here in Texas and started in old school country and oldies, so I got exposed to Patsy Cline, Peggy Lee, Brenda Lee, Etta James, and many others early on. Then being in Atlanta I got way into Jazz, Hip Hop, and R&B, and then moving overseas electronic/dance music was huge. Thats also where I got into studying classically because the amount of vocal coaches available was slim, so I had to study what the teacher could offer (which I’m very glad it worked out that way).

How would you describe your personal style?

Eclectic, eccentric, monochromatic, and thrifty.

Who are your fashion icons?

Sade, Selena, Solange, 90’s Drew Barrymore.

What was the last thing you were obsessed with?

Audiobooks.

What creative projects have you been working on that you’re excited about? Can you tell us about them?

I have a lot going on! I’m writing a lot of my own stuff, working on making the music and creating the artwork, visuals, and more to go along with that new material. I just released a new single called Je te déteste, all about femme empowerment. I’m also working on a few extra projects where I’m co-writing and producing with and for other people. Check out Tommy & Linda, and Electric Flesh Trick.

What’s your philosophy on social media and how do you approach it?

It’s necessary right now, it can be really helpful and useful, but it can also be a dangerous black hole for your soul and self-worth. I’ve been down many a rabbit hole where I come out feeling gross about the time I wasted on there and the energy I spent feeling like I’m less than something I see on the internet. Very thin and blurry line there, super easy to cross.

Do you have a favorite social media platform?

I spend a lot of time in IG; I follow a lot of friends from all the different areas of my life, and it’s nice to be able to easily put my work out there for people to see what I’m currently involved in.

What’s your dream travel destination?

Peru! I’ve been yearning to go there for ages. I have a vinyl I randomly bought at a half price books thats called the Indian Flute of the Andes and it’s one of my favorite things in the whole world. Peru is just calling to me… I feel it.

If you could record an album with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?

This question is too hard to answer. There is just… there is too much. I wouldn’t even know where to start. If I had to choose off the top of my head it would be Brian Wilson.

What are your thoughts on Blowfish Malibu shoes?

They are so comfy! The pairs I have go with everything… literally everything. And they’re so easy to slip on. Keep ’em by the door for easy access on the way out to start your day.

When do you feel best about yourself?

When I’ve accomplished finishing a project. Whether it’s a song, music video, short story, to-do list. The end result is always satisfying. I think that’s why I’m always on the go and have such a busy schedule.

What’s your personal motto?

There’s no reason and there’s no time to feel sorry for yourself.

What advice would you have for someone who’s trying to pursue the same interests as you?

My motto. Don’t let fear hold you back.

If you weren’t a singer, what would you be?

I feel like I’m doing a lot of creative things I want to do. Writing, producing, directing, styling, teaching. Maybe I would dance more. Yeah, I’d dance more.

Fill in the blank!

I learn the most from: mistakes and failures.

I can’t live without: my planner.

You can find me shopping at: thrift stores.

My astrological sign is: Leo. That being said, I’m very much a Leo.

I’m not scared of: failure.

Most people would say I’m: determined and bizarre.

My full time job is: creativity.

I’m currently listening to: this new track I started last night.

My style mantra is: dependent on the day, weather, mood, and event. I wear many hats (which is actually ironic because I don’t wear hats ever).

I feel most comfortable in: monochromatic outfits.

When I woke up today I felt: Ready to start this mini-tour I’m about to go on.

Most people don’t know: I can sing in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Arabic.

I feel the most free when: I don’t have to think about money.

SOME QUICK LINKS TO DISCOVER MORE OF SUDIE’S WORK:

Experience Sudie’s Instagram and her Facebook!

Check out Sudie’s newest song on Spotify!

Follow Sudie’s journey on her Website.

Spend some time checking out her photographer, Zack Huggins.

—

Thank you, Sudie! We’ll catch up with you soon.

Follow Blowfish Malibu on Instagram and check out more stories on The Journal!

Just when you think you really know someone…

You might follow us Instagram and like us on Facebook. Maybe you participate in (and possibly have even won!) our giveaways.  Perhaps you read our blog and shop our campaign look books. We’re your go-to for laid back, casual and comfy shoes at affordable prices and we couldn’t be happier about it. But how much do you really know about us, your favorite shoe brand? I think you might be surprised! Read on to discover some little known fun facts about us.

Blowfish Malibu was born in New Jersey and Malibu.

Our humble beginnings started in a little office in Edison, New Jersey where all members of the team (which was only 3 people) worked to run operations, finance and sales. Our design team (all of 1 person) was based in Malibu. We made the move to one single company out of California in 2009!

Our office is not in Malibu, but one of our founders is from Malibu.

Though we dream about having an office in Malibu, we are actually based in sunny Culver City, California.  One of our founders is from Malibu and you better believe we frequent his house a lot! We are all deeply inspired by the Malibu lifestyle. Have you ever been?

Our name now is longer than the original.

Our original name was just Blowfish for about a year before we lengthened it to Blowfish Malibu. Who knew!?

You can find Blowfish Malibu around the world.

While we have set our roots in the US, we can be found around the world including France, Canada, UK, Germany, Spain, Italy and even Australia. Keep your eyes peeled for us on your travels! And if you’re ever looking for a store, our store locator also includes stores outside of the US.

We make big and little shoes.

We have expanded our line to include womens, kids and even toddlers now.  Now your little-uns can wear Blowfish Malibu. (See here!) We will be expanding this collection to add more toddlers styles for Fall 2018!

We’re serious about being laid-back, comfy and casual.

99% of our shoes are made with some sort of easy way to wear them. Our booties include an inside zipper for easy on and off, velcro is used to easily put on a pair of sandals, and even our sneakers have elastic so you can quickly slide them on and off. We’re determined to make your life easy!

Our prints are designed in house.

Every print you see on our shoes has been designed by our talented team of designers. Whether it’s a floral print or California-inspired, we take pride in knowing no one else has our prints!

TV Famous?

Back in 2010, MTV filmed a reality episode of “Hired” at our offices, when we were on a quest for an international sales assistant. The whole episode was dedicated to us, and we did in fact hire someone in the end!

One of our co-founders was a gymnast!

True story! We are happy he decided on a career change, or else maybe we wouldn’t be here today!

More than just shoes?

Though we love creating, designing, and selling shoes, we also want to offer more. Stay tuned, we have a lot of exciting things in the mix! Maybe one day we’ll be making more than just shoes! 😉

Meanwhile, to ensure you’re seeing our newest product, fun giveaways and updates, make sure you follow us on Instagram!

A rare and exclusive interview with our head honcho, Don Weiss!

Meet Don Weiss, one of the co-founders behind the Blowfish Malibu brand, and President of the company. We can thank him for ultimately bringing Blowfish’s comfortable and stylish shoes into closets around the world! While our other co-founder, Stephen Hoyt, is conceptualizing new designs with the creative team, Don is eternally educating our team about shoes and selling the brand. See, Don is a marketing and sales guru. He is our #1 brand ambassador (and fan!) and is always on the lookout for innovative ways to make customers (you!) happy while promoting the brand.

Read on to learn how Don got into the business, his passions, and where we can find him when he’s not at work.

How did you come to be one of the founders of Blowfish Malibu?

After I graduated high school, I got a job delivering shoes in a van on Long Island, [N.Y.], and it was for a company called Bridgetown Flood. I was literally loading shoes down a conveyor belt and down at the bottom receiving the shoes was Steve Madden. That was my first intro into the shoe business, and then my job evolved and I started selling on the phone. That kicked me off working in the industry — it was my very first job. From then on, my career evolved into more sales and sales management at various other brands.

Thirteen years ago, Stephen Hoyt and I decided to take a leap of faith and use our skills to create a brand of our own, and that’s how Blowfish Malibu came to be.

When you aren’t the big boss, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Sailing. I’ve always been passionate about the ocean and how it clears my mind. There’s nothing I love better. If I’m not at the office, now you know where to find me!

If you weren’t working in footwear, what kind of career would you have?

I’d own a restaurant and cook there, or just be a chef. I have a passion for food and like to try new recipes. When I’m home I try to cook as much as I can. My family says my food isn’t bad at all — they’re the best critics!

Do you have an all-time favorite Blowfish Malibu style?

That’s a tough one to pin point but I really like style, Granola. It emulates such a casual comfortable feel and looks great on everyone.  It really feels like it’s an “us” shoe.

What’s your favorite thing about California?

The weather and beaches for sure. I love the fact that I can sail all year around. Back east I owned a boat and I had to take it out of the water four times a year. In California I don’t have that problem at all!

Where is your favorite place to travel and why?

I love Cabo and Hawaii. I’m a surfer at heart.  (Can you tell I’m an ocean person?!)

What is the last song you played on repeat?

Anything by John Mayer.

If you could give advice to any budding entrepreneur, what would it be?

Gather the best people you can and let them do their thing. Get everyone together and let them have a voice. That’s what we do at Blowfish Malibu!

Thanks Don! We’ll catch up with  you again soon.

Follow Blowfish Malibu on Instagram!

We are excited to introduce you to writer and photographer, and now Blowfish Journal Editor, Joanna Rentz.

I am going to be honest: it’s a little weird to be writing about myself. Man, I find it hard to even talk about myself. But, you know what? Let’s do it. Let’s jump right in.

I am thrilled to be partnering with the Blowfish Malibu team and am excited to meet the fabulous Blowfish customers! My background is in fashion and lifestyle writing, photographing, and social media. Prior to being a freelance writer and photographer, I worked with fashion company, Free People, for over six years. I was on the retail management side of things for awhile, but ended up in various roles in marketing, such as social media management, content creation, photography, and blog writing. Nowadays, I am lucky to work with different brands as a copywriter, photographer, blog writer, and now as a blog editor for Blowfish!

I am originally from Sonoma, California and currently reside in Los Angeles with my guy and our adorable little pup, Ruby. We spend a lot of time on the road camping, stargazing and hiking around with Roob. I feel most comfortable in nature, and a lot of my writing and photography expresses that. I asked my fashion designer best friend to come up with some questions for the interview so check it out below!

Shop the Super Bootie

How did your love of writing reveal itself and how has it evolved?

I had always enjoyed writing poems since I was an angst-y teen. They were absolutely terrible, but I didn’t care — it was a way for me to reflect on how I was feeling at the moment. Writing was a huge release for me. It put things in perspective — just putting my thoughts on paper would usually give me a positive outlook in the end.

Now, I love writing about the beauty I see around me, whether that’s in nature, human connectedness, vulnerability, or the love and strength that I see in people. I am most passionate about honest topics and things you wouldn’t typically see on a fashion blog, like what it’s like to live with an auto-immune disease, or discussing mental health issues. These vulnerable topics are real and people live with them everyday. I like focusing on them to let readers know that they are not alone, and that they have support around them.

Your photographs seem to reflect your love of the outdoors, what is it about nature that draws you to it?

Its infinite, powerful beauty. I love trying to capture the “otherworldliness” of nature, which is why I love shooting in the desert. The land is so barren and seemingly somewhat monotonous, but every detail, color, and shape that the desert gives you is alluring and surreal. It’s a special place.

Nature makes me feel overwhelmingly free, and I want that freedom to come across in my photos. I think that’s why I prefer to shoot models in nature too. I want the images to represent authentic and personal freedom.

Everyone can pick up a camera these days, but not every one is a photographer… how did you train your eye to see what so many of us miss and how do you continue to train yourself?

Oh, wow. I don’t think I have ever “trained” my eye. Simply put, I see something I feel connected to, or something I want to remember in a particular way, so I photograph it. Whether that is an honest, natural smile of a friend, or the vast purple mountains in Death Valley. I just point and click.

When I was writing and photographing for the Free People blog, I was always trying to capture behind the scenes photos from the shoots and campaigns. But of course, as a BTS photographer, I didn’t want to be seen or heard and I definitely never wanted to be in the way of the hired photographer so I would have to search for these weird angles where I wasn’t in the way, but I could still see the model and grab a cool shot. I was like a fly on the wall, but with a camera.

But I have been trying to train myself more! I am learning how to further manipulate angles, and play with focus, light, and composition to create a more meaningful image. I love capturing the candid moments in between shots.

If you could give yourself a pep-talk when you were first starting to write and photograph, what would you say?

Don’t be too hard on yourself. I am, 100%, my worst critic and I don’t always show myself very much grace. So I would say, a) relax girl. b) everything is fine and you have a lot to be thankful for. c) create art for yourself and be proud of it. Absolutely don’t create art for the approval of others. d) give yourself a break. Life is too fast to be wasting it on worry.

Where could we find you when you aren’t writing or editing?

I am a travel junkie and nature lover. Any free time that I have is spent outdoors either camping, hiking, road tripping or exploring new terrain. I have learned so much about myself just through the challenge of traveling. Sometimes it can be uncomfortable, awkward, or stressful to travel. It’s tough to get out of your comfort zone, but the reward is always greater than the risk.

Where is your dream travel location?

I need hot weather so give me the beach! I’d love to check out The Bahamas, but Mexico City is also on the top of my list.

If you weren’t a writer and photographer, what would you do?

Oh man, I’m not sure. Being freelance, I ask myself this question all the time. I love helping people, I love learning from challenging experiences, I love thinking creatively, I love authenticity. So… maybe… sheesh, I don’t know! Let’s just hope the freelance work keeps coming in for now so I have time to figure it out! Haha.

Shop the Adah Boot

How would you describe your own personal style?

I am a high-waisted jeans and vintage tee kind of girl. I am absolutely no fuss. Very little makeup, next to no jewelry, and my hair is always in a top bun. In my dreams I think my style is Jane Birkin, but in reality I think I’m just a tomboy.

If you were an animal, what would you be?

I think a deer! I have a recurring dream that I am bounding in a grassy meadow. It feels like I am running on a trampoline, but in slow motion. It’s so freeing. Anyway, it reminds me of a deer running… so that must mean something, right?

Who are you currently listening to on repeat?

Well, I have Janis Joplin’s Pearl on my record player right now, and each time I go to put on a new record, I just can’t seem to get myself to do it. So I flip the record and listen to the other side. This has been going on for some time now.

What advice would you give to someone who is trying to get into writing?

Write from the heart. Don’t overthink, just spill it out onto the page. Everything that enters your mind, just write it down. You can worry about grammar and spelling later, but for now, just get it all out. Not only is it the most freeing feeling, but you’ll learn what your true voice is. I have been writing for fashion campaigns, products, consumers, and blog readers for a long time so my true voice has taken a back seat. But once I start free-writing, I find it and fall in love with writing again.

Follow Joanna on Instagram and check out her website.

Photos by Derek Wood.

We chat with long-time Blowfish Malibu shoe designer, Marcy Cail, in an exclusive interview!

I think it’s fair to say that shoes can make or break an outfit. They are the ultimate accessory and sometimes they even steal the entire show. We all love our shoes, of course, but have you ever wondered whose artistic endeavor and design ended up on your feet? Well, today you get to meet one of them. Friends, we introduce you to Marcy Cail, a Blowfish Malibu shoe designer since 2013 and a shoe biz whiz for the past 13 years. She describes her specialty as, “boots with lots of hardware and bling, sandals with lots of hardware and bling, and sneakers with lots of hardware and bling.” Laughing, she adds, “I think there’s a theme here!”

Marcy, along with the talented Blowfish Malibu design team, travel all over the world to bring back inspirations of the newest original styles. Their creative process includes careful attention to the details that add quality, style, and an unexpected twist to final designs. We got to ask this veteran shoe designer about her inspirations, favorites, and what she really thinks about Blowfish Malibu Shoes.

How long have you been designing shoes?

I have been in the shoe business for 13 years. Initially, I worked in customer service and sales support. The design department intrigued me. I remember thinking, ‘I want to work there and design shoes!’ Later, one of the designers taught me to sketch shoes in exchange for lunch. He critiqued my sketches and taught me technical measurements and standards. Then one day, I sold everything I owned and moved to NY to work in fashion, designing shoes. I have been doing it ever since.

What is your favorite thing about designing shoes?

Shoes make a statement! You really can tell so much about a person by their shoes.

What inspires your shoe designs?

I think my greatest inspirations come to me in my dreams… and those ideas literally keep me up at night. During design season, I keep a notebook next to my bed for this reason.

What makes a good shoe? 

I would say a good shoe is one that is inspired by a challenge. A good example of this is the flat Balenciaga used in their S/S 2011 runway. This flat was designed because top model Gisele Bundchen refused to walk the catwalk wearing high heels. Thus, the Balenciaga Cut Out Creeper was designed. I love this shoe.

Where could we find you when you aren’t designing shoes?

Traveling, cooking dinner whilst dancing, running, yoga, gardening.

Where is your dream destination?

An African safari.

If you weren’t a shoe designer, what would you do?

Design jewelry. I love jewelry!

Do you have an all-time favorite Blowfish Malibu style?

The Duo because it is a great example of my obsession with details.

What sets Blowfish Malibu apart from other shoe brands?

There is a whole team of amazing people at Blowfish Malibu, working from all parts of the world (US, Europe, Asia). I would like to say Blowfish Malibu is special because of the amazing designs 😉 but that’s literally just the beginning. I think what really sets us apart is the passion that every “fish” contributes to making it happen. There is heart in the shoes. <3

How would you describe your own personal style?

I am drawn to anything that sparkles, like a moth to a flame.

If you were an animal, what would you be?

An owl. And not because I am wise, but because (like owls) I have a staring problem.

What are you currently listening to on repeat?

“Beatific” by Glass Candy. I wish they would release a new album already.

What advice would you give to someone who is trying to get into footwear design?

Seek mentors, ask questions, and make sure you are a part of a great team.

Thank you Marcy!  

Check out Marcy’s website and shop her designs at Blowfish Malibu here.