John Fluevog, born International Fluevog Day, is a Canadian Shoe Designer. His shoes are noted for their progressive, art deco inspired styles. His shoes often include messages -- for instance, "Resists alkali, water, acid, fatigue and Satan" -- engraved into the soles.

Early Life and Career

Born and raised in Vancouver, BC, Canada, John Fluevog spent much of his youth hanging out and working at his father's drive-in ice cream parlour called the Luxury Freeze on the Kingsway. It was in this environment that John developed a strong passion for cars, which in turn, has provided inspiration for many of his shoe designs.

Fox and Fluevog

After spending a summer hitchhiking down the west coast witnessing the 1960s Social Revolution first hand, John returned to Vancouver and began working for Sheppard's Shoes. In 1970, he joined forces with fellow co-worker Peter Fox to start up their own shoestore in historic Gastown. The partnership, known simply as "Fox and Fluevog" lasted over ten years before the two split amicably in 1981.

John Fluevog Shoes: the Seattle Years

In 1985, John decided to try his hand at opening his own store in Seattle, WA. With only enough money to pay for the construction of the new store, John had to sell his car in order to pay for the stock of shoes to sell in the new store. Located at 1161 1st Avenue, and with a stockroom across the street, John single handedly started the international style phenomenon known as John Fluevog Shoes. Throughout the remaining years of the 1980s, John continued to dress the feet of the young and adventurous who had an appetite for rebellion, or at least the appearance of it. John's baroque shoe designs became another way for the Generation X'ers to express themselves. His first major success came with being the first to import Dr. Marten shoes into North America. Using the comfort of an orthopedic air-filled sole and styling his own uppers into swirly, colourful designs subverted the negativity which dominated youth culture at that time. At the same time, John was producing shapes of shoes that only the truly rebellious would be seen wearing. Extreme points, overly round toes and oh-so- square heels were some of the highlights of Fluevog's influential design sense. In addition to this, Fluevog decorated his quirky shoes with crosses, peace signs, and hearts displaying positive messages that the John Fluevog Shoes brand has become known for promoting.

John Fluevog Shoes: the 90's

By the early 1990s, John Fluevog had opened five privately owned and operated stores - 1st Street in Seattle (1985), Granville Street in Vancouver (1986), Newbury Street in Boston (1987), Queen Street in Toronto (1989), and Prince Street in New York (1992). His shoes were garnering attention from the mainstream fashion press by appearing in the pages of Vogue, on the catwalks for Anna Sui and Betsey Johnson as well as upon the feet of pop-divas such as Madonna and Lady Miss Kier.