Goes without saying. We are obsessed at BWA HQ about shoes!
We sat down with the gorgeous head shoe designer for Shoesales.com.au, Sarah Figgins. What an inspiration for young woman! Check out what she has to say on her career, life balance and some must have peep toes this season!
What path led you to become shoe designer for Shoesales.com.au.
I basically grew up within the iconic Figgins Group footwear chain. My enchanted tale began with a sales assistant role (whilst I studied), to an amazing cadetship in buying. I thoroughly immersed my heels and even married into this shoe family. My passion for unique styling and design evolved throughout my buying career, creating collections for Mollini, Midas and sourcing designers for our Evelyn Miles boutiques.
After the heartbreaking closure of the Figgins Group chain, I co-founded ShoeSales.com.au with my business partner Steven Zdraveski. Bound by a united vision we have created a pure play digital shoe store with exclusive brands and collections. My innate flair for individual design, textures and styling has transcended now into a new digital era.
Run us through a day in a life of you.
5.00am Namaste! My meditation. Bringing peace, stillness & focus. Followed by a chai.
6.00am Ready for work, with a quick #shoeoftheday snap!
7.00am Help my three gorgeous girls ready for school.
8.00am Inbox! Scheduling, replying, organinsing, strategising! Chat with my business partner & mentor Steve. Tweet, Instagram, FB and maybe a few Pinterest pins.
10.00am Chat with Diana re: the delightful Tash from Breakfast with Audrey. A story on ‘In My Wardrobe’.
12.00pm Jolted by DHL arriving. Delivery of swatches from our factory. Open package. Drool! They’ve nailed fabric requests for new capsule I’m working on.
12.30pm Grab a banana and fly out door.
1.00pm At Docklands with CEO of Kyron Group. A chat, post online shopping articles, with Penny Votzourakis. The meeting inspires me!
2.30pm Phone going crazy! *Qantas confirming Tuesday’s flight to Hong Kong. A week in the factory, completing high summer and new Winter 2014. *Girlfriend calls ‘Sarah I need a pair of Miss S RUBY black patent for a function tonight. What do I do?’ Explain new website feature for Melb – Want It Now. Order and you will have your new shoes in 1-3 hours. *Rod confirming he can meet me at home for wardrobe pics to submit to Breakfast with Audrey.
3.00pm Race home. Tidy dressing room.
3.30pm Smile!
4.00pm Studio lock down. Assess new fabric samples, choose favourites. Start compiling new designs and sketches for factory trip. Skype factory. Ni hau!
6.00pm Chat to office and warehouse. Conversations ends with Friday night cocktail options! Inbox – quick tidy.
7.00pm It’s the weekend. Hello family. “I love your shoes Mum, are they new heels you’re wearing?”
What advice do you give young designers wanting to make their own name in the industry?
Gain as much as experience as you can. The fashion arena is huge and multi-faceted. Glean as much as you can from all angles and all contacts. Think about your angle, your niche and what makes your designs unique. What’s your edge? Be true to yourself and follow what makes your heart truly sing. Blood, sweet and tears are all part of this journey, so remember persistence beats resistance.
What is the must have shoe for Spring/Summer?
Spring for me is the peep toe bootie VALENCIA by Miss S. It screams show-off! The navy paisley is all about standout confidence. A true fashionista cannot go through the new season without a white kitten heel pump. I’ve added a cuff, as I love the attention to go to the ankle. TOLDEO by Miss S, is a true wardrobe essential to wear with anything and everything. Opting for a third pick, for me it’s the smoldering sexiness of ASTURIAS by Miss S. Cuffed metal anklets will evoke an inner confidence of a woman who knows exactly what she wants! Prrrrr!
9 Comments
I am loving shoesales.com.au, unwrapping and trying on my latest purchase in the comfort of my own home is bliss. Sarah’s designs are always gorgeous and her passion for her business is amazing. Keep it up shoesales!
I just love the regular shopping reminders I get from Shoesales. They stop me dead in my tracks to check out the latest in shoes and what I want to buy next. After reading about Sarah, I now understand why I love her designs so much. She is truly an inspiration. I would love to know what the Friday night cocktail was though. I reccommend the site to all of my collegues and clients. Great shoes, Great service. What more does a girl need?
What an inspirational story and gorgeous shoes!
What a fabulous story about someone who is so passionate about her business – that being shoes, it’s a nice change. I’m sure she is also one hell of a lady – running a business and being a mother all at the same time – it takes a lot of organisation and time management. I purchase my shoesales.com.au shoes on line – love them.
It’s grest to read about people doing what they are meant to be doing. Sarah knows her shoes! I enjoyed this xx
Inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
Love these shoes,http://www.frankc.com/sexy-party-dresses-uk63_69_281
#OMGshoes! Every girls dream! I love the peep toe bootees <3
My shoe wardobe looks pitiful in comparison.