We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again: when you love the designer behind the line, you can’t help but love that piece even more. Toronto native and New York-based designer Aurora James is a case in point. The stunning designer has serious personal steeze, but an incredible story behind her label Brother Vellies to boot. Aurora created the line as a way of introducing traditional African footwear to a wide audience, supporting local artisans and creating more jobs. Every furry sandal and denim babouche are handcrafted by talented artisans in Kenya, Morocco and South Africa. She originally began with the introduction of the velskoen (pronounced “fell-skoon”) which is a popular style in Africa and ancestor of the modern desert boot. Brother Vellies now offers a wide range of styles, and lucky for us, she’s recently added handbags to the mix. We chatted with Aurora after her NYFW debut and her CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award. Meet the inspiring designer here.