Leo Kong, the designer behind IDAS, takes an unconventional path into artisanal shoemaking. Originally from New Zealand, he studied business in Boston before turning to shoemaking, under the guidance of Paul BDN, a collaborator of Maurizio Altieri. IDAS reflects a balance between youthful experimentation and disciplined craftsmanship. Its inaugural collection features seamless patterning and magnetic closures, while maintaining a devout commitment to material integrity and hand construction in Italy’s Marche region. Despite its early stage, IDAS demonstrates a level of refinement that positions Leo within a lineage of traditional shoemakers.