Introducing ‘The Lizzie’
Photos by Andrew James Peters
If there’s one thing we love, it’s good skateboarding, so naturally, we here at MC are huge fans of Lizzie Armanto.
If there is one other thing we love, it’s a good shoe to wear while skateboarding. Therefore, by way of logic and reasoning, if there’s a third thing we absolutely love, it’s The Lizzie, the first signature skate shoe from Lizzie Armanto, built to feel good and perform the way you like while skateboarding.
The Lizzie is the first female pro-model skate shoe in 20 years, born out of a hatred of frustrating footwear experiences and the realization of a unique problem in the market: the world of skateboarding is ever-changing, as are the needs of skaters. Their needs for style, comfort, and functionality aren’t being met by any single shoe. The answer to that problem is not a variation, but a reimagining. A shoe that approaches these variables carefully and consciously. A shoe that meets the complex demands of an extremely particular consumer base, with universal solutions in a sustainable form, and which, of course, looks and feels really fucking good. With its perfectly adjusted EcoCush sole, new 3D Duracap toe, and micro-waffle tread, The Lizzie is that shoe. In anticipation of the revolutionary shoe’s release, we interrupted Lizzie’s world travels to shoot some photos at her Long Beach ramp, and to ask her exactly 14 questions about her shoe, her life, and her garden.
What do you want in a skate shoe in terms of performance?
I loathe having to break in new shoes so I wanted something you could skate out of the box. I like my shoes snug and with lots of board feel. Another thing that’s a must is durability.
What do you want in a skate shoe in terms of what it represents? (ie, the values of the company that creates it, the impact of that shoe on the culture, etc)
My shoe represents the fringe. It’s a high top in a world of lows. Designed by a female skateboarder. This shoe is the first VR3 (Vans ecofriendly initiative) shoe on the Vans skate roster.
Can you speak about the look of the shoe and your favorite aspects/easter eggs?
The look is really streamlined and clean. One of the really cool features is the lower sidewall profile with flex grooves. It’s almost like it’s already broken in and ready to skate from the second you take it out of the box.
How would you compare this shoe to other shoes you’ve skated?
For starters, it’s much slimmer than most other skate shoes and the sidewall and flex grooves are a huge advantage straight out of the box.
What shoe do you find yourself wearing in civilian mode the most?
This one for the past year the most and the Sentry Sk8-Hi for out and about.
How are you? Are you alright after that viral slam?
I’m pretty good considering how bad it could have turned out… There’s still a couple of kinks we’re working out physically, but all in all, I’d say I’m back around 85% to where I was before.
What do you do outside of skateboarding? How do those things tie into skating, if at all?
When I’m not skating, I enjoy gardening, cooking, Pinteresting house and fashion ideas. Gardening is therapy. It grounds me and makes me feel connected to my space. I love cooking when I have time to do it. Once you get the basics down, it’s just steering the ship. Home-cooked meals are always better because you can make them however you like. Pinterest now fills the void of my Tumblr scrolling. It’s pretty much like Instagram but for project inspo instead of basic entertainment.
What is your relationship with skateboarding now that it is a career versus when you were just starting out?
Skating is skating, that part hasn’t changed. Now I have more responsibilities to sponsors and it usually involves creativity in one way or another.
How do you feel having reached a milestone like this? (Given a pro shoe whereas most pros only ever get a colorway or stitch detail or variation of a classic)
I’m humbled and honored to have this opportunity; words don’t do justice to the feeling. I just know that together with the Vans team we have a lot of cool stuff coming down the road that will expand on everything that this first shoe is.
What have you been skating lately? What’s the current trend within your own skating that’s got you hyped?
I’ve been filming for my upcoming Vans video part. We’ve been skating vert and backyard pools a lot. The other week I was battling a line and I didn’t get it which was initially frustrating. Although, afterward, I felt really fortunate to be pushing myself like that again. I still have a little PTSD from my slam the year prior and I feel like I am finally getting through it.
What advice might you give to novice skateboarders who are just starting out?
Everyone has to start somewhere so don’t be afraid to try. We’ve all been that person at the skatepark.
What has been a challenge in producing/designing/creating this pro shoe?
One of the biggest challenges is 99% of the design and sampling process was all done virtually due to COVID. Not being able to sit in a room and touch and feel materials and samples with the whole team was a struggle at times.
What are you most hyped on about this shoe?
One of the things I’m most proud of is the sustainability factor and look forward to improving on that aspect with the seasons and collections to come.
What are your ambitions moving forward, inside or outside of skateboarding?
Right now, I’m just focusing on the shoe launch happening right now and finishing up the next few years of designs. Aside from that, just filming for this video part. After that, we’ll see what we’ve got going on and reevaluate.
The Lizzie is available in Australia from the 28th of April. Find out more here