DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT : SOPHIA WEBSTER
Birth Name : Sophia Grace Webster
Birth Year : 1985
Birth Year : 1985
Nationality : British
Established : 2012
Biography
Sophia Webster
British accessories designer Sophia Webster founded her eponymous label in 2012, and has become renowned for combining feminine design with a sophisticated approach. A graduate from the distinguished Cordwainers College and The Royal College of Art, she debuted her first collection for Spring/Summer 2013. Her products now have an international presence and are distributed in over 200 retailers worldwide.
Sophia was awarded the Conde Nast Footwear Emerging Designer of the Year 2012, British Fashion Award for Emerging Accessories Designer 2013 and the British Fashion Council’s New Gen Award for her first 3 consecutive seasons. She also won the BFC Vogue Fashion Fund in 2016, becoming the second shoe designer in history to receive this prestigious prize. Immediately following her graduation from the Royal College of Art, Sophia was appointed as Assistant Designer to Nicholas Kirkwood.
With a background in Fine Art, her designs are all hand-drawn and conceptualised within the company headquarters in East London. She proves her commercial viability through the diverse selection of styles on offer; heels are offered in a range of heights, and flats, espadrilles and sneakers are available as an alternative for a more casual style. Her collections have also expanded to include Children, Bridal and Handbag ranges, all of which have been successful and proved her signature aesthetic can be translated across multiple categories.
- scource "SophiaWebster.com"
Video Interview - Sophia Webster, Founder
Video Interview - Sophia Webster, Founder
Video - S/S 16 Collection - London Fashion Week
Stores
The Sophia Webster flagship retail store was opened in 2016, on Mayfair’s Mount Street. A unique retail design space that translates her signature brand codes into a brick and mortar reality, the interior boasts bespoke furniture in Sophia’s chosen colour palette and cleverly combines details from her cult footwear collections. The store complements the already established but expanding Ecommerce business, and both work in unison to provide a seamless customer experience.
Press / Promotional Images
Iconic Designs
Evangeline
'Sleek black suede sandal. Finished with rose gold ankle strap and laser cut Angel Wing detail.'
'Stunning white leather sandal finished with rose gold straps and laser cut Angel Wing detail.'
Lacey
'Black suede and patent leather multi-strap sandal. Embellished with tassels and subtle heel cut-out.'
'Rose gold mirror leather multi-strap sandal. Embellished with tassels and subtle heel cut-out.'
Coco Crystal
'Sophisticated black satin pump finished with crystal beaded heel. Super sexy and elegant... these shoes will fit any occasion.'
'Stunning metallic silver pump finished with a crystal beaded heel. This is a showstopper for all occasions.'
'Sleek nude pump with pointed toe and flamingo detailing with hot bubble gum pink heel. This is the perfect pump for those who want to stand out.'
'Sleek rose gold pump with pointed toe and black flamingo heel detail, black pin heel and sky blue outer sole. This is the perfect pump for those who want to stand out.'
Rosalind Crystal
'Sophisticated black satin multi strap sandal. Finished with stunning crystal beaded heel. Be the belle of the ball in these beautiful heels.'
'Sophisticated rose gold mirror multi strap sandal. Finished with stunning crystal beaded heel. Stand out in the crowd with these staple heels.'
Celebrities
Sophia Webster designs have been worn by many celebrities. These include models and actresses such as; Lea Michele, Jessica Chastain, Hailey Baldwin, Gal Gadot, Karlie Kloss. Jourdan Dunn, Chrissy Teigen, Emily Ratajkowski, Kendall Jenner, Kristen Stewart, Lily Aldridge and Suki Waterhouse.
Ellie Goulding
Ellie Goulding wore Sophia Webster 'Evangeline' in black satin to the MTV EMA's 2015 at Mediolanum Forum on October 25, 2015 in Milan, Italy.
Rita Ora
Rita Ora wore Sophia Webster 'Share A Coca Cola with Sophia' patent pumps to a photocall to celebrate 100 years of the iconic Coca-Cola bottle at the opening of the Contour Centenary Bar on March 19, 2015 in London, England.
My Thoughts on Sophia Webster
I love how Sophia Webster uses her artist background to produce some of the most creative collections available to date. Her passion for high heels is evident as she has stated in interviews, she was known for always wearing high heels to college. Sophia always produces high quality shoes, using the best materials, which are made in Brazil. The thing I like most about Sophia's designs is, there is something for everyone. If you love classic style designs like myself (such as pointed-toe pumps), Sophia adds a little of her artistic uniqueness, making the wearer stand out from the crowd.
Some of my favourite classic styles would be the 'Coco Crystal' which has a unique crystal beaded heel, adding that touch of expensive luxury and not only being a pair of shoes, but also a pair of jewelry. The shoes are perfect for gowns or dark suits, for the elegant and professional woman. I also like the 'Coco Flamingo' which incorporates a silhouette of the beautiful and colourful exotic bird to the heel of the shoes. I like these a lot because they can be styled with casual outfits, such as a pair of skinny jeans and a t-shirt, which is great for women that like to add something a little different to their outfits.
Sophia also has designs which are very unique and really suit woman that to express themselves with wild looks. Some of the more unique styles would be the 'Marissa' sandal in calf hair fringe (Fall '14 collection) which has a bohemian influence with a mix of bright colours, patents and animals print. Also the 'Dionne' leopard-embroidered slingback sandal (Spring '15 collection) which combines many candy-bright colours such as lime, orange, blue, pink, with a mirrored heel and a black and white leopard print upper.
Sophia is arguably best known for her 'angel wings' collection, which is her most recognisable design. I would compare this iconic style to how other top designers are recognised, such as Christian Louboutin's iconic red painted soles, or Cesare Casadei's curved metal blade heel. The angel wings collection features a metal scalloped 3D angel wing detail which extends from the backstay of the heel (evangeline) or part of the upper (seraphina). The style is very feminine which look amazing with elegant dresses.
My all time favourite Sophia Webster style is the 'Share a Coca Cola with Sophia' pumps, which were worn by singer Rita ora to celebrate Coca Cola's 100th anniversary of the Cola bottle. I love how Sophia has incorporated the famous Coca Cola pattern along with her name on these classic pointed toe pumps. Sophia even adds a unique stacked red metallic hearts shaped heel. Rita Ora looked phenomenal in these pumps along with her beautiful halter neck red dress, and is by far my favourite Sophia Webster design.
0 comments