Could you tell us about the origins of Sneex? What motivated its creation, and how has it evolved into its current identity?
I felt inspired to create this because of my own foot pain in heels. I also get fired up when something in the marketplace doesn’t change for long periods of time. I kept coming back to the idea that I wanted my high heel to feel as comfortable as my sneaker. I was also bored with the other options I had in my closet. I wanted a shoe that had height but reflected the current fashion trends. Sneex fill a void I felt in my own wardrobe. Our intention was to create a new option for women that was timeless and feminine, and that evoked feelings of confidence and power.
What inspired the creation of The Tepper? Was it a product of creative vision, or did it emerge in response to a specific market need or gap?
The Tepper (named after my daughter!) is our one strap style, the most premium of the current line. It has a more intricate design, and it’s made with luxe materials like Leone mesh from Italy. I named a style after her because I want Tepper to grow up knowing she does not have to sacrifice comfort to feel beautiful.
Sneex is unique for combining stilettos and sneakers. How did you balance these two styles to create a design that works so well together?
I set out to create the world’s most comfortable stiletto. I did not set out to create a sneaker heel. This is where the innovation led me. The lightbulb went off just as I was about to throw in the towel, until one day I said, “I just want my heel to feel as comfortable as my sneaker.” We re-engineered the weight distribution to relieve the pressure on the ball of your foot, we closed the gap most heels have between your foot and the shoe for whole-foot support AND we invented a design that prevents toe squeezing.
Through The Tepper, you’ve challenged the traditional look of high heels—and the pain that came with it. Could you explain how your design led to a comfortable yet stylish high heel?
In fashion, there has always been an ongoing battle between functionality and beauty. There’s almost always a compromise. I was inspired to say “what if? What if we didn’t need to compromise at all?” I wanted to design the most comfortable stiletto that was bold with a feminine aesthetic and versatile. Sneex is all about blending contrasting concepts in a beautiful way.
Can you describe some of the main challenges you faced in creating this hybrid design and how you addressed these issues?
It wasn’t easy! There were starts and stops and ups and downs. We spent years working to solve the main pain points that women commonly feel in high heels. The problem is that most people who make women’s high heels aren’t wearing them. There was a lot of resistance because we were challenging the way things have “always been done.” But my greater purpose has always been to give women better, more comfortable options. Even in times when I doubted myself, my purpose gave me the courage to keep going.
What do you think the rise of hybrid designs like The Tepper says about the evolution of fashion footwear?
Women want options. There’s this tension between beauty and comfort. I don’t believe they have to be mutually exclusive. I think with a few more prototypes and a little bit more attention to detail, love and care… beauty doesn’t have to be pain. You have to go the extra mile, but I think it’s worth it.
Congratulations on being the overall winner in Fashion Sneakers at the GFA Awards! How do you think this recognition will impact Sneex’s future?
Thank you… Thank you! We are so honored to receive this award. It confirms that Sneex resonate deeply with our audience and it has inspired us to continue innovating and creating products women love.
What does the future hold for Sneex? Are there any upcoming projects that you can tell us about?
New colorways will be launching in the spring, and brand new styles will be launching this Fall. I can’t wait!
