Welcome to the sock drawer of the bizarre and brilliant, the inner sanctum of FootClothes, where the mundane socks whimper in the corner.

Today, we're spotlighting the maestro of our sock symphony, Angelo Montiel.

[Pictured: Angelo, Creative Design Genius/Beard Haver]

Angelo Montiel: The Man Behind the Lucha Libre Mask

Born in Mexico, seasoned in the USA, Angelo's the kind of guy who finds inspiration in a Lucha Libre smackdown and tranquility in the heart of a horror movie marathon. Illustrator by day, cryptid hunter by night, he loves collecting antiques, toys, and sneakers. He was just weird enough to go along with our crazy ideas. Just. Weird. Enough.

Angelo’s signature "Dia De Los Muertos" line isn’t just about rocking your ankles; it’s a tribute, a celebration, a vibrant homage to roots that refuse to be ignored. 

[Pictured: A funny screen grab of Angelo in a mask pointing to a design tablet that I straight up stole from his Instagram]

A Brilliant Genius Kickass Partnership Was Formed

It all started at a table in The Brutal Poodle, Denver. Picture the scene: South Broadway. Denver. Dusk. Fabric checkerboard napkin. Megadeth playing softly in the background. I was there, (Chelsea - Owner/High Priestess), with a stupid idea: I was going to start a sock company that was anything but ordinary. Across from me, Angelo, in his characteristic cool, was there too, obviously, fresh from our creative collisions at AMB3R creative where we worked on merch and apparel together. As I placed down my beer, I casually remarked - "Hey, so I think I'm gonna start a weird sock company. Will you help me?"

And he was all, “Yeah, sure.”

And I was like “Sick.”

And it was, in fact, siiiick.

[Pictured: Angelo & Chelsea at The Brutal Poodle at a different time than the one so painstakingly described above but this picture was better because it also had Cierra and Lo in it.]

The Montiel Method: Sock Symphony in Several Parts

Angelo's creations for us are not just sock designs; they're narratives wrapped around your ankles. Check out these lines, each a testament to his genius:

• Sideshow
• 1950s Sci-Fi
• Goth
• Dressed to Kill
• Mythical Creatures
• Alice in Wonderland
• Classic Halloween
• Occult
• Krampus
• 1980s
• The Devil's Lettuce
• Victorian
• Winchester Mystery House®
• Angelo Montiel Signature
• Retro Horror
• Cryptids
• Pastel Goth

These collections are not just socks; they're stories, experiences, and a rebellion against the ordinary. Okay, maybe the are just like mostly socks, though.

A Partnership Forged in Creativity

Our collaboration goes beyond business. It's a journey of creative exploration, of pushing boundaries, of sometimes kinda fucking up and learning stuff the hard way, but then redefining what a sock can be. Angelo's still spinning his graphic magic over at AMB3R with our friend and T-shirt guru, Jeremy Picker, but I will continue commandeering most of his freelance time with whatever random sock ideas I have.

[Pictured: Chelsea and Angelo in the very first FootClothes office with the very first line of samples we received for the sideshow line.]

FootClothes Would Be Such a Weirdly Different Company Without Angelo

We're not just selling socks; we’re selling really cool socks that we put a lot of time and effort into. With Angelo's art gracing our products, we're not just walking; we're making statements, starting conversations, and turning heads. If someone else designed the first one I might have just settled for less or something and that would suck.

Stay tuned, stay stylish, and remember, in the world of FootClothes, every step supports a real live artist and a real live goth entrepreneur and helps us buy groceries and stuff and we love you.

[Pictured: Real life fun (not fake fun) and Chelsea outside which is very rare you're welcome.]

FIN

Keywords: FootClothes, Angelo Montiel, unconventional socks, graphic design, creative collaboration, AMB3R creative, sock revolution, The Brutal Poodle, Denver.