Founded by siblings Jack and Angela Lin, They New York is a testament to their shared passion for minimalist design that marries practical functionality with a sophisticated aesthetic. Drawing from over 30 years of family expertise in the Japanese footwear industry, the brand manufactures entirely in their family factory in Taiwan, ensuring high-quality craftsmanship with meticulous attention to material and compositional details.
The inspiration for their design comes from a desire to celebrate design itself, using a shoe as a blank canvas. The result is a product that embodies the beauty of simplicity through a delicate combination of form, color, and space. This approach is a nod to the geometric precursors of the German Bauhaus and modern Japanese graphics and architecture.
What sets They New York apart is the geometric shape seamlessly embedded within the shoe’s silhouette. Traditional shoemaking involves creating the upper portion and the sole separately, which disrupts the fluidity of their design. To overcome this, their expert craftsmen have developed a meticulous method for hand-aligning the shoe's upper half with its custom-made bi-color rubber sole, ensuring perfect uniform connectivity.
The shoes come in various sizes, catering to a wide range of customers. Since its official launch in 2017, They New York has expanded its reach to over nine countries worldwide, with the US being its main market. The brand's commitment to minimalist design and high-quality craftsmanship continues to resonate with customers globally.
They New York's design philosophy and innovative manufacturing techniques have not gone unnoticed. In 2018, the brand was awarded the Golden A' Footwear, Shoes, and Boots Design Award, a testament to their trendsetting creations that advance art, science, design, and technology. This recognition further cements their position as a leading player in the minimalist footwear industry.
Project Designers: Jack Lin
Image Credits: Ingmar Chen
Project Team Members: Jack Lin
Project Name: THEY NEW YORK
Project Client: Jack Lin