The Find: handcrafted mukluks and moccasins that have a story to tell

Slippers and warm boots are essential winter apparel, but they tend to be more functional than beautiful. Craftsmanship and coziness go hand-in-hand with the Storyboot Project, a collaboration between Holt Renfrew’s H Project and Métis retailer Manitobah Mukluks. Each pair of shoes is painstakingly crafted by Aboriginal artisans using traditional techniques and materials, including smoked moose hide, rabbit fur and tiny glass beads, which are sewn by hand into colourful, whimsical designs. The shoes are definitely pricier than the moccasin maker’s regular footwear collection, but thanks to a profit-sharing agreement, half of the proceeds go straight back to the artist—which should help assuage any guilt about splurging on cozy footwear. $500-$1,400. Available at Holt Renfrew or online.