The Story Behind SAME FOOT

We’re sure at some point we’ll let you into every nook and cranny of the SAME FOOT conception - our story is important to us. For now, here's a drive by version as we try to explain how SAME FOOT originated and what SAME FOOT even means.

While SAME FOOT launched on 18th May 2023, it was thought up in early 2021 while founder, Jodie, was doing her Master’s at the Glasgow School of Art. In the middle of studying fashion and textiles and thinking about future career goals, it became apparent that the idea of becoming a conventional textile designer and working for a fashion house wasn’t an exciting prospect despite it often appearing as the stereotypical art school student dream.

It was the conversations Jodie had with her mum, Karla, her Mentoring Matters mentor, Laura, and her university counsellor, Sharon, that enabled her to see the connections between her seemingly contrasting loves and interests. A deep love of connecting with others and being part of bettering the local community and the planet paired with an interest and skill in fashion and textiles made for a very narrow job search! But it was obvious that these two aspects, somehow united, would be the ultimate career fulfilment.

A couple of months later and many brainstorming sessions down, SAME FOOT was born. The brand name is loosely based on the phrase ‘on an equal footing’ (meaning with the same rights and conditions as someone else). Jodie saw SAME FOOT as being a space where makers and consumers are equal, respectful and aware of each other and can even have transferable roles.

The brand was formed and the SAME FOOT logo was designed by Haley Kennedy of Sundae Studios. The project sat for a long while, brewing away, as Jodie took on other opportunities, firstly in community arts work with The Stove Network in Dumfries and Galloway and later as a studio assistant for Scottish knitwear studio, Hilary Jane Keyes.

Despite the break from SAME FOOT, the idea never left. In fact it developed and matured and became a secret side project that Jodie was too scared to tell anyone about. It became obvious that there was a gap for a fashion brand rooted in community when friends began asking Jodie to fulfil textile services such as shorten their trousers, re-sew buttons and repair torn jeans. The opportunity to embroider merchandise for Glasgow-based band, Vanives, also helped in widening the potential offering of SAME FOOT and suggested a desire for creative textile consultation and solutions in Glasgow.

So, in January 2023 it was decided - this was the year SAME FOOT became a ‘thing’, and not just an idea. With the support of family, friends and particularly her boyfriend, Kyle, Jodie finally turned the idea into a reality.

Now, at SAME FOOT, we’re hoping to constantly turn ideas into realities.