Speakers’ Corner gives you a preview of the voices you’ll hear at upcoming PI events, straight from the people shaping fashion and footwear.
In this edition, Caroline de Baere, Footwear Industry Expert and Adjunct Professor at California College of the Arts, reflects on how craft and digital tools can meaningfully coexist — and why investing in education, access, and people will determine the industry’s long-term success.
1) What excites you most about the intersection of craft and technology right now?
There is growing recognition that technology alone isn’t the answer. When robotics works too well and makes a product too perfect, we have to remember not to lose craft. Technology should work in service of craft and human ideas.
More recently, I’ve seen people actively trying to understand how traditional skills, intuition, and hands-on knowledge can meaningfully coexist with digital tools. I’m excited to see what comes next as the industry evolves. Conversations feel more mature now — less about hype and more about purpose, quality, and long-term impact. We’re moving in the right direction.
2) What’s one challenge in digital product creation that still keeps you up at night?
Education and accessibility remain major challenges. Access to software, proper training, and the infrastructure needed to support digital workflows is still inconsistent.
I believe universities and brands alike have an opportunity to step back from day-to-day pressures and invest more in education and support. That investment leads to greater productivity and more knowledgeable, confident teams.
3) What’s the most underrated capability or mindset teams need to build today?
A willingness to invest in people. Hiring new talent and giving them real opportunities to grow within an organization is critical, especially as teams expand or evolve.
Ongoing education, role-specific training, and transparency around expectations build trust and resilience — and ultimately lead to stronger, more adaptable teams.
4) If you could wave a magic wand and fix one industry bottleneck, what would it be?
Sourcing would be at the top of the list — specifically shortening timelines and expanding access to truly viable, tested sustainable materials and processes that work at scale. Just as important is clearer communication so consumers actually understand what sustainability claims mean.
I’d also love to fix the hiring bottleneck, where résumés and portfolios disappear into a void instead of being reviewed by real people who can recognize potential and talent. I have many former students who are incredibly talented and have so much to offer, yet struggle to find work — never receiving a response and not knowing whether their applications have even been seen.
5) What’s one lesson you wish you’d learned earlier in your career?
I didn’t realize how lasting relationships in this industry would be. The people I met when I started out in the 80s and 90s are still friends and collaborators more than 30 years later. Footwear is a small, global industry. We know each other, support each other, and grow together.
I wish I had understood sooner how important it is to start networking immediately, ask for feedback, and speak with people across all departments to gain exposure to every aspect of the footwear and fashion business.
6) Is the future of product creation more human-led or data-driven?
It has to be both. Data gives us knowledge and insight, but it’s only powerful when humans interpret it and act on it thoughtfully. Better data leads to better decisions — but it still takes creativity, experience, and judgment to turn that information into compelling, well-designed, and appropriately developed products.
7) What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a brand trying to modernize its development pipeline?
Use the data available to you, but also listen to people with real experience. Be open to experimentation and willing to try new approaches. If something doesn’t work, pivot quickly. Being wrong is part of progress — as long as you’re learning and adjusting along the way.
8) Tool you couldn’t live without?
A pencil. I bring one everywhere. I’m constantly taking notes, sketching ideas, and jotting things down. There’s something grounding about thinking through ideas by hand before they ever become digital.
9) The most inspiring project or person you’ve worked with recently?
One of the most inspiring volunteer projects I managed in 2025 was the Oakland Roots Soccer Club collaboration with California College of the Arts. It brought together sports, community, sustainability, and education in a very real way.
Over eight months, the project culminated in an upcycled fashion show in October 2025. I worked with five current fashion students and five CCA alumni who created fashion and footwear looks using reclaimed and repurposed apparel and footwear. The focus wasn’t just aesthetics, but storytelling, material awareness, and responsible design practices.
Another highlight was serving on the jury for the Global Footwear Awards over the past two years. It has been incredibly rewarding, giving me the opportunity to see innovative design work from around the world and support emerging designers and brands.
Both experiences reflect what matters most to me at this stage of my career: giving back to the industry, mentoring the next generation, and helping create space for thoughtful, forward-looking design.
Caroline will be leveraging her deep knowledge and experience at Stride USA 2026 (9-10th March) to lead a panel discussion on 'Footwear’s Next-Gen Talent: Bridging Industry, Education, and Emerging Voices'.
