How Hetty Rose shoes are made
Amy Hutson from Gossip, who looks after the PR for Hetty Rose, gives her rundown on what it's like to have a pair of shoes made for you.
For anyone who's a bit of a shoe fan, what could be more perfect than having your very own pair designed and created for you by hand?
I first came across Hetty Rose shoes as a fan, and secondly as someone that gets to promote and write about her wonderful creations, under the guise of my communications company. When speaking to people about Hetty Rose, what often most amazes them is that each pair of shoes is handmade by the designer to fit the client perfectly rather than being shipped off to some factory, far far away.
But, what's it like to have a pair of shoes made for you?
Day 1 in shoe creation land:
Today I’ve been looking at all the delightful Hetty Rose shoes online. I often see shoes I really like, but there’s often something that’s not quite right with them; too pointy (and my poor toes will be squashed), the heel is too stiletto-like (and likely to get stuck in drains, bad pavements and the like), too high (at 5'9", I really don’t want to look any taller thanks) and the list goes on.
Day 3 in shoe creation land:
Having spent two days debating which design to go for, I finally go for the Mami pair and tell the designer that's what I'm after.
Day 5 in shoe creation land:
Hetty sends me some kimono fabric options to choose from. Oh dear I’m not too good at options, especially as they all look lovely. Eventually I opt for a pink and reddish fabric, as I think the colours sit really well together, in a contrasting kind of way!
Day 8 in shoe creation land:
Next up is the measuring; this is like the ‘shoe shops’ game I used to play with my friends aged six. The tape measure comes out and every possible measurement around my feet and ankles are taken, in preparation for my shoes.
Day 14 in shoe creation land:
I meet up with Hetty over a coffee in London, as she has a piece of calico (material) in the vague shape of a shoe, that she tries out for size on my foot. She plays around with it for a few minutes, before declaring: "We're ready to make the shoes now!"
Day 18 in shoe creation land:
Hetty is busy in her workshop in Essex: drilling, chopping and putting together my shoes and today she tells me they're nearly ready for my first fitting.
Day 23 in shoe creation land:
A meeting in Brighton: this time over a glass of wine and the shoes are on the table when I arrive. They haven't yet got any proper soles on them (just this weird corky-type stuff), but apart from that they look ready. I try them on and Hetty checks them for sizing, while I carefully walk around in them – trying carefully not to damage them. Pleased, Hetty takes them back with her to finish off the soles and to add the heels onto the shoes.
Day 26 in shoe creation land:
I can't wait for the shoes to arrive – I've already planned all the different things I can wear them with. It's now just a waiting game.
Day 34 in shoe creation land:
My shoes arrive and they look and feel wonderful.
What shall I have made next??
