Stitch by Stitch: The Art and Design of Cowboy Boots
August 27 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm (Doors open at 6:30 pm)
Location: Bata Shoe Museum
Tickets: $20 General, $15 Senior (65+) / Student (With ID)
Step into the world of craftsmanship, design, and artistry with master cowboy boot maker Flora Knight, and musician, designer, and co-founder of Liberty Boots Tony Benattar. This engaging panel discussion, moderated by Elizabeth Semmelhack, will delve into their unique journeys and contributions to the enduring legacy of cowboy boots.
From Flora’s hands-on expertise in traditional bootmaking to Tony’s visionary designs and rock ’n’ roll-inspired aesthetic, the panel will explore how their distinct approaches shape the craft and creativity of cowboy boots. Together, they’ll share insights on the art, innovation, and challenges of creating footwear that blends functionality with unparalleled style.
The evening will feature an in-depth conversation, followed by an open Q&A session, offering you the chance to ask your questions about bootmaking, design, and the stories behind their most iconic creations.
Please check in with Visitor Services upon arrival. Contact shan@batashoemuseum.ca with any questions.
Terms and Conditions apply.
Agenda
6:30 pm – Doors Open
7:00 pm – Panel Begins
8:00 pm – Panel Ends, Galleries Open
9:00 pm – Museum Closes
MEET THE SPEAKERS:
Musician and designer Tony Benattar founded his eponymous boot company in 1987 driven by his inability to find cowboy boots that matched his vision. From 1987 to 1993, he honed his craft in León, Mexico, collaborating with notable figures such as Vicente Fox, former President of Mexico, Yan Ferry, co-founder of Liberty Boot Co., and Mike Llama, grandson of legendary bootmaker Tony Llama. During this time, Tony developed his signature rock ‘n’ roll aesthetic while mastering traditional cowboy boot-making techniques that were rapidly disappearing.
In 1993 Yan and Tony founded the Liberty Boot Company and over the next 25 years the brand became synonymous with high quality and innovative design, adorning Hollywood stars, cowboy boot enthusiasts, and multiple generations of icons. Legends like Liz Taylor, Madonna, and Taylor Swift, as well as Tony’s rock ‘n’ roll heroes such as Bruce Springsteen, Steven Tyler, and Brian Setzer, proudly wore Liberty’s distinctive creations.
Flora Knight is a Canadian-born artisan celebrated for her distinctive, bespoke cowboy boots. Trained under master bootmakers Lisa Sorrell and Ray Dorwart in Oklahoma, Knight inherits a direct lineage from the original innovators of the American cowboy boot.
Her work is defined by vibrant, flowing designs and exacting craftsmanship, grounded in traditional techniques and a timeless aesthetic. From her Montréal atelier, Knight creates each pair entirely by hand using only the finest materials—an approach that stands in sharp contrast to the fast pace and declining quality of mass-produced fashion, resulting in a waitlist of approximately 18 months.
Every pair of Knight’s boots is made with care and intention, offering an heirloom-quality piece for those who value thoughtful, handcrafted design.
Elizabeth Semmelhack: As Director and Senior Curator at the Bata Shoe Museum for over 20 years, Elizabeth Semmelhack is a renowned expert on footwear, including sneakers, and regularly consulted by scholars and global media such as the New York Times, National Geographic, The Washington Post, Forbes, CBC, and CNN, to name a few. Named by FASHION Magazine as one of the “world’s top five game-changing fashion curators”, Semmelhack’s award-winning publications include nearly 30 articles and chapters as well as 14 books and catalogs including Out of the Box: The Rise of Sneaker Culture (2015), which has sold close to 40,000 copies world-wide, Collab: Sneakers x Culture (2019), and Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks (2022).