Speakers Corner is our 5-minute interview series spotlighting the thinkers, designers, and leaders shaping the future of fashion and footwear.
In this edition, we sit down with David Filar, Owner & Creative Partner of Censes Design Studio to talk about what’s really changing in footwear design right now, why boldness is creeping back in, and why emotion still matters more than tools, trends, or hype.
From focusing on the brief to rebuilding human relationships with factories, David shares a grounded perspective on modernising footwear development without losing the soul of the product.
1) Biggest shift in footwear design / development?
I think more brands are more open to launching a ‘bold’ silhouette or style lately, which is making footwear design fun again. Look at UGG men’s the past couple seasons, or ERL’s skate shoe, or even the Puma Rombaut. There’s a shift lately, and it's moving away from copy/pasting previous models with new colors and materials - which is what we all need.
2) Underrated capability or mindset teams need?
Focus. There’s a billion reasons why you shouldn’t be focused today. You think you need to look for inspiration online or check in on the latest article or trend. You don’t. You need to focus on your work, the brief at hand, and the story you’re trying to communicate. If you do that, you’re already ahead of everyone else who is distracted.
3) What’s overhyped right now in the footwear innovation space?
AI. Everyone needs to chill out. Everytime something new comes along the pendulum swings full force that way. And then it’ll swing back and find a middle ground of how to operate with it. It’s an unbelievable tool and way to expand creativity - but there’s still so much misunderstanding about it as well. We all need to take a breath.
4) Whats one piece of advice you'd give to modernize its development pipeline?
Get back to the factories. Since COVID, there’s been less personal contact with the people producing products. Those relationships, communications, understanding their way of working, is a big time suck. As simple as it sounds, being human can modernize the process.
5) Tool I can’t live without?
For those that know me, running is my tool. It's my safe space to think freely and come up with some of my best creative ideas and thought processes. Complete un-interrupted free think space.
6) Inspiring person or project?
Two people / groups. One, on a more personal side is Brett Golliff who was a speaker at Stride last year. He’s become not only a great friend in design, but a mentor who helps me manage a lot of thoughts and concerns of my own. Secondarily, I love what Myles O’Meally does with his studio Arete Create in Amsterdam. He’s built something so magical in the footwear industry with great people around him. It’s something inspiring for sure.
7) Finish this sentence: In 2026 great footwear design will be…
Emotional. Do you say ‘wow’ when you first see the photo of a new shoe online? Does it make you think new thoughts? Are you excited to pick it up and feel how light weight it is? That’s what I strive to do with my partners, create more emotion within the products themselves. If you can do that, you can win (whatever that means).
David’s perspective cuts through the noise with a simple reminder: great footwear isn’t just engineered or optimised, it’s felt.
He’ll be bringing that same thinking to the stage at Stride in the session 'What Can We Learn from Emerging Brands about Connection, Speed & Tech?' as well as hosting two roundtables, where conversations centre on creativity, craft, and the future of footwear design and development.
