Sole Purpose
by Vonetta Booker-Brown

First the tri-state area, then the world: That's what Norwalk, CT.-based shoe designer Lawrence "XL" Gay's game plan is, with his company XL Connections. 

Half of Stamford, CT. shoe designer Lawrence Gay’s kitchen table is nearly buried underneath copies of various urban magazines instead of footwear sketches. Cute brown models and ghetto-fabulous hip-hop stars profile in his kitchen from the covers of Honey, Essence, Blaze, and The Source. Lil’ Kim gazes seductively from an XXL cover, electric blue wig and colored contact lenses matching perfectly. What’s up with the glossies, you wonder? As if sensing the question, Gay eagerly picks up the XXL mag and flips through its pages, finally coming to a ¼ page ad. “XL Connections,” it reads, two pairs of stylish women’s platform sandals dangling from a rope, as if beckoning someone to take them down and slip them onto pedicured, summer-ready feet.

For Gay, that small ad is a big step in the progress of XL Connections, an urban shoe company founded and run by Gay and partner Mike Ferro. His creations include plush loafers for the guys, along with oh-so-hot-right-now ladies’ animal-print platform sandals. Could it be that Gay’s offering something a little different than the usual “urban wear” consisting of logo-laden baggy jeans and t-shirts? Because this brother happens to have a thing for shoes. 

“It’s urban, but classy,” says Gay, describing his line. “It’s not just dress; I’m not really into that; it’s stylish, but casual.” Gay also feels that XL Connections can save the fashion-conscious from going hungry just because they simply had to have that overpriced bag in the boutique window. “I see a lot of ladies who are trying to go for the high-end, like Prada, etc.—so I’m just bringing that to a less-expensive level, where it’s just as hot.” 

Let’s go back to September 1996, when XL Connections was first beginning to emerge as a concept. Gay had just landed a mailroom job at women’s shoe company Nine West, Inc. The gig fit in well with Gay’s agenda—gaining hands-on fashion industry experience and paying his Berkeley College tuition (where he studied fashion design). He worked his mailroom position for a while and got promoted to Product Development Manager within a year and a half--his shoe designs soon catching the attention of the department head, who offered to have the shoes made for Gay. 

When Gay saw his design become an actual, wearable reality, he knew he was onto something—especially when everyone saw his designs and wanted to know how they could be down.  There was one small problem, though—since he wasn’t a Nine West designer, there was no way he could mass-produce his shoes through the company—and the major honchos there weren’t quite ready to put him on just yet. But with the seed already planted, Gay wasn’t trying to hear about putting his dream on hold--so he made the bold decision to strike out on his own and do the young entrepreneur thing. “Sometimes people are happy seeing you right where you are,” says Gay, recalling that stressful period. “I was like, so hurt, I came home, told my pops, and decided to start my own thing.”  

And so it was on. He and partner Mike Ferro pooled their resources sans loans—Gay’s networking savvy blessed him with a number of people willing to have his back in getting XL Connections off the ground.  For Gay, the past year has been a whirlwind of nurturing contacts made during his stint at Nine West, scouting out possible shoe manufacturers and being schooled on the ins and outs of the business. “It’s always hard, but when I look back over the past 13 months at what I’ve accomplished, I’ve done a lot. I’ve met so many people, I’ve done shows in Vegas and New York,” he says, continuing to rattle off his accomplishments while maintaining his humble attitude--as though he still can’t believe all this is happening.  XL Connections has also caught the attention of hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, along with the eye of various fashion editors, notes Gay. 

Although Gay’s hustle sounds glamorous, it can be tricky juggling so many hats at once. He does it all—from the first concept to design, sales and production issues. But amidst all that, Gay stays spiritually  grounded—especially when it comes to creating his designs. “I’m real spiritual, so I ask God to give me the vision, you know? So that whatever I’m going to create comes out easier. That’s where [the name] ‘XL Communications’ comes from—connecting the universe, my spirit and God. It’s like a oneness—‘XL’ is representing me, but the ‘Connection’ is representing all." 

That being said, there’s no reason for anyone to come outside this summer with run-over shoes and rough, non-sandal-ready heels. Because we’ll talk about you.  And so will Gay, but at least he’ll help you out by hooking you up with his shoes. 

The XL Connections boutique is located at 21 North Main Street in Norwalk, CT.  Contact them at (203) 853-SHOE for store hours and additional information..