A Conversation with Intentionally Blank's Ty McBride

Ty McBride isn’t your average shoe guy. The founder of Intentionally Blank would be the first to tell you… he’s not a designer, he’s a vibe curator. With a Notes app full of half-baked ideas, a camera roll of chaotic inspo, and a sixth sense for what feels good (not just looks good), Ty has built a brand rooted in irreverence, intention, and queerness.

We’re celebrating Ty’s unapologetic POV, and the ways Intentionally Blank has become a soft place to land for people who don’t see themselves in typical fashion spaces. We caught up with him ahead of the new Highland Park shop opening (!!) to talk sexy self-expression, retail chills, and why there’s truly “an ass for every seat.”

You’ve called the brand cheeky and intentional. How do those values show up in your process?

My process is basically a series of 1000 screenshots, and 300 drafts in my notes app. My brand is not meant to be a cohesive collection---I am not a designer, I am a product person. I am a brand builder. I want the over-arching vibe of the brand to be the piece that ties it together---that the shoes are fun, and wearable, interesting and thought provoking. The brand is an exercise in personal styling and how I see shoes as being such an integral part of that process. I don't believe women need to be told how to dress, especially by me, but rather they need to be free to express themselves in what they wear, and how they combine things. Getting dressed is so incredibly sexy. Self expression is sexy.

What does sustainability look like in the world of footwear, especially as a small brand?

I have big issues with a lot of shoe brands who say they are sustainable, as I don't always find that true, plausible or honest. My approach is more about transparency and focuses on WHO is making my product and WHERE. Of course I use recycled materials for my packaging, have removed all plastics from the dust bags etc. I consider that the minimum we can do in 2025. Everyone should do this, I don't deserve accolades for that! I have also launched initiatives to re-use left over materials to make my small leather goods project: STOREHOUSE, using the pieces for wallets, key fobs etc. My shoes are not 100% sustainable of course, but I am taking the continual steps to best practices so I can feel good about what I put into the world, as well as what I ask of it. We have been able to use chrome free leathers — again that is essential — but also recycled PU's, and recycled linings… etc. New material innovations are exciting. Shoes have a long way to go!

Finish the sentence: “Intentionally Blank is for the person who…”

Refuses to contort themselves to fit into any box.

  

Congrats on your new storefront in Highland Park! When is it opening and why is retail so important to you?

AUGUST BABY! I love retail, and even though it doesn't always make sense for indie brands financially! I love the connection with client, the feedback and the community aspect. I love nothing more than opening my store on a Saturday---when the first customer comes in and says..."OMG you have fantastic stuff in here!" I live for that feeling of creating something that brings people happiness. I hope our LA store can be a continuation of that and build on our brand. We are taking on a retail project in collaboration with shop RIRIKU and it is so refreshing to work with someone who aligns so well with my core values, but also lets me tell insane stories and jokes all the time.

One of my absolute favorite things is to go into a store and feel chills. The merchandising, the scent, the reception, the assortment. The way they present what they do. I love retail, thoughtful design and effort. I fall in love so easily in the perfect store. The first time I fell completely transfixed by a store was at a store called BEHIND THE POST OFFICE in San Diego CA. I can recall every detail and what I bought from that store. Later in life I experienced retail genius at a store in a tiny town in WA state called Shop Curator. The store is like a gallery, display, collection of objects and craft projects that just work so well together. The store is in a town called Bow Washington and it remains a huge source of my inspiration.

 

Dream shoe collab: anyone, dead or alive, real or fictional, who’s in the studio with you?

I would love any of the following, can you make this happen?

IB X COS

IB X LABUBU

IB X DOLLY PARTON

IB X AMY SEDARIS

IB X JOAN AND DAVID

IB X AUBREY PLAZA

  

What part of taking a shoe from idea to shelf still gets you excited?

I only get excited when the final shipment arrives on time and we check the product. Until then, I’m a mess. I think more than 45 people touch each shoe from the time I direct the idea to my factory to the time it hits our site. There is so much room for error. It’s mindboggling more things are not completely F+&#ED up! To be honest, the shoes I love the most, always fall out of the line, and never/rarely make production. I love a broken heart, what can I say?

What’s something you wish more people understood about running a small fashion business?

People understand very little about the process of owning a for profit, self funded, indie fashion brand, yet behind keyboards they have lots of opinions about it. I wish that what they understood was, I am just a person, not even a business person, a weird gay who wants to make shoes--and bring them to market. I make mistakes, I make errors I am still learning and I am kind.

I wish people in general extended more grace to others. I can honestly say the IB clients are very very chill for the most part, I love that and I think we foster that with our transparency. At my last job the client base was like a cult, they were insanely loyal---with that comes a lot of pushback on changes, issues and it's just very judge judy and at 47 years old, I am too tired.

You’ve built a team and a clear brand identity. What’s been the biggest challenge in growing it?

I have learned that I am not a manager. I do not have the bandwidth focus wise, the compassion, I do not have the skills. I cannot separate my emotions or concerns. What I do have is a very good sense of character so I have surrounded myself with the best people---my direct team is exceptional. One of my employees told me recently that I trust too much/easily and I am working on that.

 

What’s a piece of business advice you swear by (and one you ignore) ;)?

The piece of advice I stand by: There is an ass for every seat. The piece I ignore: Be Professional at all times.

  

What does creative collaboration mean to you, and how do you stay community-focused in a competitive space?

I am a networker and I rely heavily on my friends, peers and work community. I am not into gatekeeping---I have extended my factory contacts to several of my own competitors....why? Because if i stay in my lane, stay true to my vision, it doesn't matter where other people make their product. Why wouldn't I want my factory to have more work? I trust them, they trust me! My referrals mean a lot to them---and I respect them enough to give them as many client leads as I can. I have my own spin on product---and that's what matters. Maybe I am too open? I don't know, but I always stand by the advice...

"The very best place to open a bar, is next to another bar."

 

Thanks for hanging out with us (and Ty). Follow him @iamintentionallyblank to stay in the loop on all the hot takes and shoe drops. If you’re in LA, swing by their new Highland Park shop and say hi IRL. Not local? No worries — shop Intentionally Blank anytime on our site. ;) There’s truly an ass for every seat.