Beautiful handmade shoes by the British designer Hetty Rose, the shoes are sexy, unique and fashionable, a must for any woman!

Handmade Shoes to Order

While fashion gradually wakes up to ethical practices and sustainability footwear designer Hetty Rose has applied such customs, and a heavy dose of creativity, to her business all along. Her bespoke shoes are the antithesis of mass market bargains and are laden with chic character plus a hint of naughtiness. JoJo Iles caught up with Hetty (Henrietta Rose Samuels) to find out about her fashion journey thus far…

Hetty Rose Q&A

Q Tell us a bit about your background, where you studied, worked etc...

Hetty: I studied at the London College of Fashion and gained a degree in Footwear Design & Development (also known as Cordwainers College). During my time at university, I also gained an industrial placement for one year of study with footwear designer Georgina Goodman. Since graduating I have worked in both London and Italy for handmade shoe companies.

Q How and when did you begin the Hetty Rose label?

Hetty: The concept of the company has grown from research and development I conducted during my degree. I began by making shoes in my spare time and showing at the odd exhibition. I would get a lot of attention and really wanted to devote my time to designing, making and meeting people and so at the end of 2006 I began work on sample shoes to exhibit at London Fashion Week in February 2007. Each show has led onto another and I am always thinking of what I can do next to raise my profile and build the label.

The concept behind the Hetty Rose brand is based on a theory of re-using and re-working vintage materials in a creative and sustainable way, hand making shoes to fit. Hetty Rose is a passionate bespoke footwear company with a clear brand philosophy; to make an environmental statement in an aesthetically pleasing way.

Q Tell us a bit about your latest collection...

Hetty: The collection is trans-seasonal and consists of signature style peep-hole styles with hand stitching detail, simple silhouettes and functional elegance. The uppers are all made using vivid vintage kimono fabrics; these are colourful, eye-catching and get you noticed.

Q What can people expect to pay for a pair of bespoke Hetty Rose shoes?

Hetty: The shoes start from £300.

Q Do you present your shoes at any seasonal shows / trade exhibitions?

Hetty: I like to collaborate with other innovative designers to create unique pieces and these projects usually involve a show or exhibition. These shows have ranged from a garden flower show to catwalk shows in extravagant night clubs.

Q Have any of your designs appeared in any printed media / websites or shows over the last few months?

Hetty: The collection was launched in February this year during London Fashion Week and was included in Selvedge Magazine. The shoes featured in Elle magazine online during Ethical Fashion week and also on the catwalk of Alternative Fashion week both in March. The London Paper and London Lite Newspapers have featured the Hetty Rose collection and also online on French and Russian Fashion websites.

Q Are there any designers that you particularly admire?

Hetty: Roger Vivier was a pioneer in footwear. I have a lot of respect for designers who do things you wouldn’t expect and play with materials in a creative way. Also, Nicholas Kirkwood, Gil Carvalho and Georgina Goodman have amazing vision.

Q What inspires you creatively?

Hetty: I am a self-confessed hoarder. I keep everything that inspires me or that could be useful. The idea of wasting something which could be transformed into something functional and beautiful is the reason I do what I do. Sustainability in the fashion field can be a challenge, so by having a concept which adheres to ethical and ecological sensitivities, I can be free with my designs. Objects, places, colours and dreamt-up ideas inspire me more than people or trends. My magpie tendencies often lead me to be inspired by trinkets and found objects.

Q Where can we order / buy your shoes?

Hetty: A selection of shoes feature at Last Boutique in Brighton (www.lastfootwear.com). The collection also features on online boutiques, these include www.urbanfashionhouse.com, www.karmenaccessories.co.uk, www.thenaturalstore.co.uk, www.fashionpublic.com and the full collection and more information can be viewed at our website, www.hettyrose.co.uk.

Q And your future plans for the business?

Hetty: I plan to steadily build up my business and profile. Through ongoing research of the market and materials, I aim to develop the brand, be reliable and build credibility through providing a quality product, excellent service with definitive branding. By creating an experience for customers, I aim to gain loyal customers and buyers.

I aim to design the Hetty Rose trans-seasonal collections with the ethos of making a collection which has typical signature style to be recognisable as Hetty Rose brand. This will enable customers to grow alongside the company and be loyal and enjoy each collection. I like to collaborate with other designer/makers to create something really unique, and I would like to carry on doing this within many varied disciplines.

I would like to expand to a shop in the UK and then abroad in Europe, US and Japan. I also enjoy explaining and demonstrating my practice to others and would love to carry out educational workshops.

Q Hetty Rose quote of the day....

Hetty: 'Take a risk; you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.'

For more information Visit Hetty Rose for Handmade Shoes