Cat Footwear - We are #EARTHMOVERS
Last week, on October 9th, Cat Footwear hosted a runway show and exhibition at New York City’s oldest whiskey distillery. Located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard in Dumbo, Kings County Distillery was the location host to the launch of Cat’s Autumn/Winter 2013 collection as well as the preview of their upcoming Spring/Summer 2014 collection.
Raine: What is Cat Footwear and how did it come about?Cat Footwear: We are a global men’s and women’s lifestyle brand who designs and engineers quality footwear matching the hard-working reputation of the Caterpillar brand. Originally Cat Footwear was a small division composed of work boots designed to supply the worker with comfort and durability that met the challenges of the worksite. Today, Cat Footwear ships to over 150 countries worldwide with a wide range of footwear from casualwear to resilience boots.R: Your slogan is “We are Earthmovers”, can you expand more on the company’s main objective?CF: In any industry whether it’s an outdoor footwear or fashion conscious footwear, your competitors will put forward a commendable market in order to persevere. Our intention is to provide boots and shoes based on the same core principles as Caterpillar’s durability. Cat Footwear has matured in the last decade and a half from work boots to offering a wide range of industrial and fashion patterns to express style statements. Cat Footwear's original goal of offering genuine, long-lasting boots is still intact.
R: Superb. Now what exactly is the Caterpillar brand itself so that we may further understand Cat Footwear’s envision.CF: Caterpillar Inc. is an American corporation, which manufactures, designs, and markets heavy machinery and engines for the construction establishments. It is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and locomotives, dealing with construction and mining equipment.R: But of course! All those heavy machinery seen around city worksites. Your company sure choose a staggering icon. How were the festivities during the presentation?CF: Everything went smoothly. We put forward our “Earthmovers Campaign” which focuses on an assortment of inspiring individuals who are making a difference in moving the Earth. The Earthmovers Campaign commemorates individuals who positively impact the world around them and who "move the earth" in their everyday lives. A few of them were featured on our runway!R: Please tell us who!CF: Well, there was Gina Giorgio (aka DJ Gene) was worked both the booth and the runway for the night, Luke Lambert (Crew Chief of the #31 Caterpillar Chevrolet, Alexi Panos & Tennille Amor (Co-Founders of the non-profit: E.P.I.C. which stands for "Everyday People Initiating Change"), Tyler Hilton (Singer/Songwriter & Actor), and Nicole Austin (the Master Blender of Kings County Distillery). It was quite the show.
R: Being able to host the event at a whiskey distillery, how fun and unusual! Tell us about the choice of location.CF: Yes! All of our guests were treated to whiskey tastings led by the distillery’s blenders while DJ Gene supplied the music. The rustic and industrial backdrop was fitting for the line and with the Caterpillar brand, hence why the choice of location. At 8pm, the party moved outdoors where the runway show took place. Featuring 31 looks from both the women’s and men’s AW13 and SS14 collections. At the end of the night, all guests received an Earthmover’s gift bag to top off the evening.R: Which boot was Cat Footwear’s favorite?CF: The iconic “Colorado” work boot, most definitely.R: Is there anything else you would like to touch base on for our readers?CF: Feel free to check out Cat Footwear: http://www.catfootwear.com/US/enAlso, every Saturday from 2:30PM to 5:30PM during the Autumn season, the distillery is open for tours and tasting. The tours are very informal and no reservations are needed!
Now, readers if you’re over the age of 21 – take pleasure in handmade moonshine and bourbon out of the 113-year-old Paymaster Building in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Kings Country Distillery is one of the NYC’s oldest operating whiskey distillery, the first since prohibition. It’s moonshine has won “Best in Category” for corn whiskey at the 2011 American Distilling Institute’s Craft Spirits conference and Kings County won silver medals for both whiskies at the 2013 Conference. PHOTO SOURCE: Patrick MacLoed for Guest Of A Guest + Peter Roessler Photography