AGENCY Footwear LLC was founded in 2023 in Brooklyn, NY by Mathew Drazic, a career shoe designer with experience at New Balance, Diesel, Converse and Rykä when it was owned by Michael Rubin. More than he ever expected as a career, it was filled with mixed emotions once he finally learned the full depth of how capitalist corporations and governments have impacted history through colonialism. No longer blissfully unaware of the massive unintended consequences of an unsustainable consumer economy and driven by his personal experience with the universal truth that - no child is responsible for the situation they're born into - he walked away from corporate America to start a new sneaker brand...

 

"Inspired by and designed for everyone helping the world:

Embrace Equality, Heal the Planet and Change the System to Fix the Future."

 

The irony of starting a consumer brand to support those fighting a consumer based system was not lost on Drazic. So he created AGENCY Footwear to replace shoes activists and concerned individuals would otherwise have to buy in order to protect their feet from the overly concrete world we all navigate.

Sneakers built to support the desire to make change, starting with the brand identity. Beyond the quest for peace that an olive branch symbolizes, combining it with the word AGENCY [defined as, "the power to take action"] also represents peaceful action, aka non-violent protest.

Change is hard work, so AGENCY Footwear is designed for comfort and versatility. General purpose sneakers with soft, stable platforms and all-terrain traction to conquer any obstacle activists might face.

Change also comes from within, so AGENCY Footwear uses as many sustainable materials as possible and the shoes are made at leading facilities that meet or exceed the strictest fair trade, chemical handling and animal welfare standards.

*prototypes shown in above video*

Sharlen Moore, City of Milwaukee 10th District Alderwoman

“I have known Mat since 2007, when he walked through the doors of our non-profit, Urban Undergound, to share his talent with the young people we serve. He designed and implemented a program that allowed young people to use their creativity to design shoes. In addition, he worked with the youth to paint positive words on office doors throughout the space to spark motivation and positivity. 

I’ve met a lot of people over the years in doing this work and Mat is one of the few that stand out. I admire his passion and drive in not only working with the young people, but putting his all into supporting our non-profit. I can see why he birthed AGENCY and the need to support such great organizations as Urban Underground to help us continue our mission of changing the world! I expected nothing less from him and looking forward to seeing his vision come to life.”

Michael Maccari, Adjunct Professor, Fashion Institute of Technology

“Working with Mathew was a true collaboration. It was great to toss out an idea and watch the wheels spin to arrive at a solution.

He was definitely the footwear expert, but being the brand ambassador and creative director at Perry Ellis, I was providing a vision for this brand extension.

Once we got to know each other through the process, the ideas flowed back and forth seamlessly.

I’m very proud of the work we did together and I know we’ll be seeing a lot more great work to come from Mathew.”

Drew Spieth, Design Director - Innovation Studio, New Balance

“I have known Mathew for almost two decades and have always admired him as a designer and as a human. He has always been one of the most creative and unique perspectives in the room and matched that with an amazing ability to visualize and create those points of view. He is a passionate believer in change for the better and will always challenge the norm. It has been my pleasure to know Drazic and no matter how far or how long between us it is always easy to pick up where we left off. Great guy and a great friend and I wish the best of luck to him.”

Michelle Xiong, One of the Most Amazing Humans I was Fortunate Enough to Know

“Mat is an exceptional footwear designer with extensive knowledge in the entire process of concept to development and production. He not only has a keen eye for aesthetics and design but also an elevated colors and materials play. His craft injects positivity and freshness with well thought out product details and finishes. Mat is an artist, designer, developer and a giving human who always has his door open to help teach aspiring designers anything they want to learn..techpacks, color theory, illustrator, he's got you. What makes Mat extraordinary is his noble compassion to take time from designing to care about people, strangers, humans close and far from him.”

Debbie Gonzalez, Creative Executive, Avenue D

“Inspiring, thought provoking, innovative, creative and in touch with humanity, are the words that come to mind when I think of Mathew.  I’ve worked with Mathew since 2004 and have always admired his ability to stay true to his convictions in and out of the corporate world.  He’s not only an amazing creative leader, he’s role model for all of us who are constantly caught between doing our job and staying true our core values.”

David Bowen, Advocacy Director, Former WI State Representative

“I'm happy to support this endeavor in leading the way to bind business and sustainability. We need to move in this direction for our planet and our Country!”