Moccs with Meaning

After years of painting on Minnetonka’s as a hobby, Upper East Side mom Lindsay Stewart has turned her creative passion into a full-time business. This month, the artist is teaming up with Minnetonka for the collection “Moc with Meaning,” a colorful line of hand-painted moccasins for women and children that celebrate young imaginations.

“This back-to-school collection is inspired by watching kids’ confidence grow as they create joyfully from their heart without boundaries,” Stewart says. “A child’s creative expression should be celebrated—their unique, personal reflection encouraged.”

This will be the second collaboration between Stewart and the popular moccasin company, featuring a selection of colorfully splattered Gabi slip-ons from Minnetonka’s fall/winter collection. The partnership began last year as the company and Stewart created an infant collection. After the initial collection launched, customers requested moccasins for bigger children and moms.

“We are always looking for authentic stories to tell and ways to create exciting new product for our fans,” says David Miller, CEO of Minnetonka. “For years Lindsay has cultivated her own business that exemplifies creativity and hand craftsmanship, two qualities that are core to our brand. Her special hand-painted designs add a playfulness to our products, we love that about this partnership.”

In addition, Minnetonka is honoring teachers in fine arts education during the month of August by donating proceeds to art programs through Donors Choose. Miller says Minnetonka will give up to $15,000 by donating a dollar from every item purchased from MinnetonkaMoccasin.com in August, as well as 10 percent of profits from Stewart’s line. The donations will not only fund arts programs, but a range of educational programs that support classrooms nationally.

“Children and education are core pillars in Minnetonka’s giving program,” Miller says. “Many teachers spend hundreds of dollars out of their own pockets every year to create welcoming classrooms and unique programs to help inspire and educate our kids.”

The children’s moccasins retail for $54.95, while the coordinating adult moccasins retail for $69.95.