Footwear from Bronwyn’s Autumn/Winter 2022 collection. Image supplied.
Footwear brand Bronwyn debuted in August 2021 offering chic styles that are perfect for the modern woman’s busy life, and the brand has recently released a follow up range of staples for Autumn/Winter 2022. The new collection explores the importance of balance and proportion, of silhouette and line, championing the discerning wearer through the creation of minimalist pieces with refined, elevated detailing. This season’s focus is on boots which are a winter essential and Bronwyn Footwear’s minimalist approach means each pair is easily styled with your winter wardrobe for maximum versatility.
Brownyn Creative Director, Sarah Street, has been designing footwear for 13 years and has an eye for directional design while creating styles that are comfortable to wear and made to last in premium leathers. This collection has been produced with new ethical manufacturers in Dongguan, China, who are a female-owned business and a long-time friend of Sarah Street. It allows Bronwyn to have increased transparency and a smaller global carbon footprint while supporting a fellow women in business. Bronwyn’s new ethical manufacturing partners work alongside several LWG accredited tanneries, and have signed a code of ethics agreement that aligns to the ETI (ethical trading initiative) standards and best practices.
We caught up with Sarah Street to find out more about Bronwyn Footwear’s latest range, her favourite pieces from the collection and what her top tips are for making footwear last?
Where did the inspiration come from for your latest designs for Bronwyn Footwear?
I’m definitely still redefining who I am as a designer, especially now that I am working on a brand that is my own, and not belonging to or being guided by someone else. I think it’s important to constantly reflect and evolve as a designer and be open to new ideas and inspirations, which can be drawn from almost anywhere.
What are your favourite styles and which ones do you have on high rotation in your own wardrobe?
This is a hard one! At the moment I have Cleo, Vinnie and Marilyn on high rotation, but I’m looking forward to pairing Chloe with a beautiful Paris Georgia Slip I have and a blazer, and I’m looking forward to pairing Coco with a full cream leather oversized blazer and wide leg pants, I love tailored dressing.
Boots from Bronwyn Footwear’s latest range.
How would you describe the Bronwyn Footwear customer and what do you think they’re looking for when they shop with you?
This is something, being such a new brand, that I’m definitely learning and getting a feel for. I feel like she appreciates a curated style and is in a more conscious phase of buying for her wardrobe, I think she’s interested in buying more considered pieces for longevity. She’s busy, she’s confident – she knows who she is and what she wants.
What are your top tips for choosing a pair of shoes?
I think ultimately choose something you love, but try to think about what you already have in your wardrobe that you can pair them with, and if you can pair them with at least two – three outfits I think that’s a great start. Buying for longevity or multipurpose is important, but I also think it’s important to remember the joy in buying a pair of shoes you can afford simply because you are in love with them. Life can be heavy at times and finding small joys in something like a beautiful pair of shoes may seem trivial but I think it is a pretty special thing. I’m not saying this to encourage frivolous purchases, more to encourage considered purchases that also spark joy.
How should we be caring for our footwear to make each pair last?
I think find a balance that works for you between being gentle and enjoying your shoes you spent your hard-earned money on. Use a leather protector spray or leather conditioner, have a matching colour polish at hand for any accidental scuffs or marks, remove most shoes for driving and stow them safely out of your way (especially chunky boots, loose sandals and heels! It can be dangerous and can also damage the heels), and avoid, where possible, walking in the rain or sodden ground (definitely do not walk in the rain in leather soled shoes!). Wearing shoes on alternating days can also prolong their lifespan, and storing properly is also key. Finding and supporting a local cobbler or shoe repairer is also a great way to support the community while having a highly skilled craftsperson help you take care of your shoes.
Boots from Bronwyn Footwear’s latest range.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve received that you keep referring back to as a designer?
I got told once that a customer’s feedback (good or bad) is everything, because without customers, you don’t have a sustainable brand – so take it all as a learning and grow from it, especially the pieces of feedback that are the hardest to hear. Being a designer is challenging in many ways, but I think there’s so much passion that is poured into each design and in a sense ego, so when you do (and you will) receive feedback that isn’t positive, it is often hard to receive. Being able to be open to that and receive it, feel it, but then take it and learn and grow and adapt is key.
What is your advice for anyone who wants to become a designer now?
Honestly having a career you love and are passionate about is an absolute privilege (that I’m deeply aware of) but so imperative to fulfilling your creative cup. As a designer I think the ability to be able to look from the top down and bottom up is essential. By that I mean, design is multifaceted. So you have to be able to critically and objectively analyse your range and your designs from a multitude of perspectives. Zooming into the finite detail, then zooming back out and seeing the range as a whole. Looking at it for its cohesive aesthetic, its uniqueness, its quality, its sustainability aspects, and then looking at it from a monetary and a commercial sense.
Looking to the future, how far ahead do you plan and what makes you excited about the future?
I’m working on a season ahead at the moment, but still defining a timeline that works for me and for the brand, and of course, my customers. I am hopeful that Bronwyn will continue to grow and expand as we find our feet (so to speak!) and solidify a place for ourselves in this market. I’m excited for Bronwyn to be enjoyed by more beautiful people. I’m hopeful that I will continue to learn and grow as a designer, and as a brand.
Images supplied.