I thought the Made in America men's wear push was a big revolution in terms of smaller companies taking charge, but it seems like it's gotten out of control.

My agent came to me with a deal from another publisher and I signed a deal and got the advance with no idea of what I was going to do. I probably procrastinated for almost a year, but we had meetings and I was basically going to spoof "Take Ivy," but then it kind of turned into something else. I wanted it to be a book of all the things that made me who I am, like Brooks Brothers, Hot Wheels, "The Andy Griffith Show" and G.I. Joes. I couldn't sit still and do it, so my agent had to come to my house and force me to do it.

Bigger brands like Shinola are capitalizing on what all of us small companies did. Shinola is just totally fake. It's a corporate entity that's taking advantage of what everybody else has done. They say it's all about made in U.S., but one Wal-Mart hires more employees than their whole company.

I don't consider what you're wearing when I design a shoe. I don't have a particular look in mind or make a shoe thinking, "This would look great with a blue pinstripe suit." I just let you dress yourself. I'm looking at the shoe itself, not as a component of an outfit.

I thought the Made in America men's wear push was a big revolution in terms of smaller companies taking charge, but it seems like it's gotten out of control.

As a child there was no place for adventure or experimentation. I guess that kind of freedom started in high school with punk rock. That's what enlightened me to not being afraid to express myself.

When I lace my shoes I can't stand when they are twisted and dirty. It just looks sloppy. Even if it's a new pair of Chuck Taylors and the laces are all twisted it looks like you don't care.