E48: My Fame, Explained: Omar Bailey on Keanu Reeves' Visionaries Series, Founding FCTRY LAb, and Revolutionizing the Sneaker Industry
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In this powerful episode of My Fame, Explained, we sit down with legendary footwear designer Omar Bailey, whose career spans decades and whose impact on the sneaker industry is nothing short of revolutionary. From sketching shoes at just 7 years old to leading innovation at Yeezy/Adidas, Omar’s journey is a testament to creativity, perseverance, and vision.
Now at the helm of his own independent, Black-led footwear company, FCTRY LAb, based in Los Angeles, Omar is shaking up the industry. His company is disrupting the traditional footwear model by offering partners more ownership and dramatically accelerating the production process through cutting-edge technology.
We dig deep into Omar’s story—from building shoes for stars like Jay-Z, Lady Gaga, and Karim Benzema, to his viral collaboration with rapper NLE Choppa, and the bespoke cleats he's designing with NFL athletes like Jalen Ramsey of the Miami Dolphins. We also talk about his recent spotlight on the new Roku series Visionaries, premiering today, where he was personally hand-picked by Keanu Reeves to be featured.
This episode is a masterclass in innovation, hustle, and passion. Whether you're a sneakerhead, entrepreneur, or just love a good origin story—you don't want to miss it.
Connect with Omar Bailey and FCTRY LAb:
Website: https://www.fctrylab.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fctrylab
Omar’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omarbailey_
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48 episodes