CYDWOQ founder, Rafi Balouzian, loves to walk. He walks everywhere. In fact, long before it was considered recreation or a “green” alternative to commutes or cabs, Rafi would routinely walk 50 blocks to a business meeting—and still does.
Back to Nature
Prior to starting CYDWOQ, however, Rafi found his shoes weren’t helping his epic strolls. Space-age materials, fancy padding, and air bubbles of all shapes and sizes impeded rather than promoted a healthy, efficient stride. And in this realization, a company was born.
Rafi decided to design his own line of shoes and for inspiration, went directly to the source: nature. He studied the rounded contours of the human foot and the circular motion of a person walking and experimented endlessly with designs and materials before coming up with a line that emulated nature’s sublime achievements. And although Rafi still believes “the best way to walk is barefoot,” his shoes are surely the next best thing.
A Separation Problem
Besides being comfortable and objects of exquisite design, CYDWOQ shoes last. They actually get better with time as the leather ages and molds to the unique shape of the owner’s foot. This characteristic speaks directly to what Rafi calls his “separation problem.”
He has an obsession with quality things and once found, he never wants to part ways with them. Perhaps this obsession is best represented by his wife, Zela, (whom Rafi found…in sixth grade), but it certainly extends to his hand-crafted shoes, bags, and belts.
Only the finest, vegetable-tanned leathers and custom-made components are used in CYDWOQ products. Designs employ the fewest number of leather pieces possible to minimize stitching, and to improve comfort, quality, and durability.
An Ongoing Passion
Making beautiful, functional products that last is our passion at CYDWOQ. We invite you to browse our selection of products on this website, but remind you to check back often. Rafi is constantly at his drafting table, always in search of his next great design to delight the most discerning customer—you!