This Designer Is Turning African Art Into a Footwear Staple
Nathalie Chebou-Moth puts her culture on display — and on your heels — with every new design.
OMÔL is one of the coolest emerging footwear brands right now. Creating a signature style from her culture and heritage, designer Nathalie Chebou-Moth’s creations stem from her family’s roots in Cameroon. The brand is built on that foundation, building a fashionable world around the concept of African womanhood and identity.
OMÔL’s signature Totem line incorporates aspects of traditional African styles, from masquerades to sculpture, the abstract style is what put Chebou-Moth on the map, but there’s more where that came from. New collaborations put luxury and sustainability at the forefront, whilst plan to expand are on the horizon. Now is the perfect time to invest your style stocks in the Paris-based brand. OMÔL is going straight to the top.
For this edition of Baes With Kicks, we spoke to Chebou-Moth about the inspiration behind the brand she built, the type of person she designs for and her hopes for the future. Keep scrolling to read the full conversation.
Name: Nathalie Chebou-Moth
Location: Paris
Occupation: Designer and founder of OMÔL
What inspired you to start the brand?
OMÔL was born from a desire to create a conscious yet expressive fashion brand that embraces both irreverence and flamboyance. The starting point was deeply personal: the Totem collection itself was inspired by a series of sculptures from my father’s travel collection. That emotional connection to art, culture and storytelling naturally evolved into ready-to-wear, footwear and accessories, where each piece feels like a wearable sculpture — something bold, intentional and meaningful.
What is the story behind the brand name?
Omôl means “mademoiselle” in my father’s language — one of many rich languages in Cameroon. It represents a modern, confident woman. Someone who is expressive, independent and unapologetically herself. The name reflects a sense of identity and belonging, which are central to the brand’s DNA.
Your shoes feature a lot of traditional, West and Central African art influences. What drew you to those styles?
The brand is deeply inspired by sculptural forms and symbolic objects — particularly the kind you find in our traditional art. The Totem heel, for example, reflects this idea of identity and storytelling through form.
What draws me to these influences is their ability to carry meaning beyond aesthetics. They’re not just decorative. They represent heritage, individuality and a strong visual language. That aligns perfectly with OMÔL’s vision of creating pieces that feel like art.
Who is the OMÔL buyer in your words?
She is a fashion enthusiast who is looking for something beyond trends. She wants pieces that are premium, creative and timeless, but also expressive of her identity. She values experience, and is drawn to design that feels unique and intentional. Ultimately, she’s someone who sees fashion as a form of self-expression.
The Totem Boot is one of your most popular products. Why do you think it resonates so much?
The Totem Boot resonates because it’s instantly recognizable. The sculptural heel is eye-catching and bold, but it’s also a bit futuristic with its shape. It strikes a balance between statement and wearability. People are drawn to pieces that stand out, but still fit into their wardrobe, and the Totem Boot does exactly that. It allows us to feel powerful and distinctive with every step.
You recently launched a collaboration with Nona Source. How much of a role does sustainability play in your design process?
Sustainability is a core part of how I think about design. Our collaboration with NONA SOURCE allowed us to work with LVMH deadstock fabrics, giving new life to high-quality materials that already exist in fashion houses. But beyond that, we focus on creating pieces that last both in quality and in design.
Beyond materials, the brand business model is also designed to be responsible. We operate largely on a pre-order system, which means we produce based on demand rather than overproducing stock. This allows us to significantly reduce waste while maintaining exclusivity and quality. For us, sustainability is about mindful creation: reducing waste, valuing craftsmanship and designing products people will keep for years.
What’s next for OMÔL?
The goal is to continue building OMÔL as a global, conscious luxury brand. We want to expand the Totem universe, explore new categories, and deepen our storytelling around identity, craftsmanship and culture. Simultaneously, we’re focused on growing our community, creating not just products, but an experience that truly resonates with us.
