Téjahn Burnett: meet the new it girl footwear brand and its innovative designer
Calling all shoe girls! Get to know our latest fashion obsession Téjahn Burnett a contemporary footwear line that specializes in women's high heel boots and hand-crafted sandals. The namesake brand founded by Jamaican-Canadian footwear designer Téjahn Burnett takes pride in creating designs that are inspired by culture. Their latest release the Simijah (pronounced: see-me-jah in Jamaican patios) has become the brand’s number one seller in just 3 months after its launch. The sandal inspired by the designer’s Rastafarian upbringing is a handcrafted knotted sandal designed to emulate both strength and longevity. Téjahn understands the process of creating unique footwear all while keeping comfort at the forefront. You will not find any shoe on the market quite like the options offered by Téjahn Burnett, they design without limits and with innovation. Read more about the brand and talented designer Téjahn below.
What drew you to designing footwear?
I’ve always been drawn to footwear for as long as I could remember. It started off as a sneaker obsession as a teenager. As I got older I started to dabble in my high heels and set a goal to create footwear that was suitable for women who appreciate versatility in footwear just as much as I do. I consider footwear to be the ultimate accessory. It has the ability to alter one's outfit, mood, or occasion. Designing footwear became something that allowed me to explore a more feminine direction of my style, without the frivolous limitations that are often found in stores.
How do you approach your design process?
My design process is rather unconventional. I am a self-taught shoe designer who started sketching and doodling shoe designs for fun. In fact, throughout the process of launching my business, I had to really submerge myself into studying and understanding the anatomy of a shoe before I got comfortable with working in product development. Initially, I started designing because I couldn’t find things that I liked in traditional retail environments. I’m a problem solver at heart, so I’ve always been one to design things with a solution in mind. As time progressed, I’ve begun to explore new shapes and designs that allow me to push myself to new limits
What has been your most popular style?
Our “Simijah” Knotted Sandal has been our #1 selling style to date. In just under 3 months, it has sold out twice. An honorable mention should also go to the “Naomi” Convertible boot. The first of its nature, Naomi was my first ever 2-in-1 style that contributed to much of the brand's early success. It was an embellished boot that can be worn as a knee-high boot suited with a detachable component that transformed the boot into an ankle boot.
Describe the Tejahn girl?
A girl who loves to have fun with her footwear. A Tejahn girl is not afraid of boundaries and is always looking for the newest shoe to welcome into her wardrobe. She’s a go-getter who likes buying things that are playful and is always excited to support emerging designers. A Tejahn girl strives for versatility in her shoe game. She’s a girl that values quality craftsmanship, exciting new silhouettes and is a sucker for size inclusivity. Most of all, a Tejahn girl is a woman who loves options.
When did you make the leap to become a designer?
I started designing footwear five years ago and launched my brand officially in 2017 at the age of 25. I had recently graduated from a Fashion Program and had a hard time navigating through the industry and balancing life as a single mother. In hopes of paving a path that would be easily adaptable to my need to cater to my children, I ventured into footwear as an ode to the exploration of my childhood obsession.
What has been the most difficult challenge in your entrepreneur journey?
Keeping the momentum to sustain the brand’s needs until I am able to afford a team has been a daunting experience. I work well independently but there are moments where it's hard executing every task and responsibility for the brand alone. I don’t think multitasking is a fair enough term to describe what is needed to own and operate a brand. I’ve had to learn a lot and force myself out of my comfort zone to be able to understand new processes that would help my brand grow. As someone who often strives to be a people pleaser, I find that there are days where I am forced to try, and build a thicker skin in solidifying my choices for my business. I am learning daily that granting myself grace in my learning curve/experience is just as important as building a lasting impression in the footwear industry.
Tell us how culture defines your brand's identity?
Growing up as a Jamaican- Canadian Designer, my cultural upbringing inspires a lot of my brand's identity. I come from a tight-knit family that exercises many elements of roots and culture in everything that we do. I use many of the Jamaican proverbs that I remember being taught as a child into my work ethic and the work that I produce creatively. As I venture into wanting to occupy more spaces that encourage storytelling— I use my cultural upbringing to inspire the names, colors, and stories that inspire my thought processes.
Why is it so important for you to connect with your brand’s community?
As my mother would say, it takes a village to raise a family. I've adapted this concept into a lot of what I do from a design perspective. It is important to connect with my community because it grants me the ability to understand and nurture those who are interested in my brand's success. Understanding my community’s immediate and long-term needs makes it easier for me to produce and distribute my product from a brand perspective. Whether it be through direct communication with my customers and/or through social media, it is important to me that my brand establishes two-way communication with those who resonate with my brand values. It could be through product development, branding, or even marketing-- it is through connecting with members of my community that I hope to be able to inspire those who take the time to pursue a passion project/brand.
Where do you see the brand in 5 years?
In five years, I hope to be able to have more frequent releases and expand upon my product assortment. I see the brand working towards producing much more than just footwear in the future. I am also speaking: the ability to hire a team and work amongst more Black creatives into the brand's existence. I’m only just getting started and I’m excited to see what’s next in-store.
Recall your biggest “I made it moment”?
I’ve had a few, to be honest. When you start a brand, you begin to appreciate the moments where your aspirations start to feel like a reality. A moment I am most proud of is my “Naomi” boots landing the cover of the Canadian Publication Chatelaine Magazine. It was the brand's first nationwide media credit and my shoes were worn by Tracy Moore, a Canadian media personally ( a national treasure in my eyes) who is changing the way in which Black girls/women in Canada are represented in the media space. Also, Partnering with Black Fashion Fair for their first-ever Fashion Fair was a dream come true. Being able to give back to a community that has been so accepting of my brand was really rewarding. Black Fashion Fair is a conceptual retail, educational, and cultural experience aimed toward the discovery and furtherance of Black designers. Being recognized and listed amongst many of the Black Designers that I’ve watched and admired for years really struck a chord with me.