Finding shoes that look good and actually feel comfortable can be difficult at the best of times. But if you have bunions or need more room around your toes, finding something stylish that doesn't leave your feet screaming by the end of the day can feel almost impossible.
That's the problem Jennifer Bailey set out to solve when she created Calla Shoes.
The idea for the brand came from Jennifer's own experience. She had struggled to find fashionable shoes that didn't aggravate her bunions and, on her wedding day, eventually gave up on her heels after just an hour because they were so uncomfortable. It was a familiar problem - and one Jennifer realised many other women were dealing with too.
Then, while pregnant, Jennifer was made redundant. Rather than seeing it simply as a setback, she used the opportunity to explore whether she could create the shoes she had been looking for herself.
“I talked to a podiatrist friend of mine about the complexities of making a shoe for bunions, and that’s how Calla Shoes began to come into fruition…”
Shoes designed around bunions
Jennifer spent years researching how to create shoes that could accommodate bunions without looking like traditional comfort footwear.
The result is a collection of shoes and sandals designed with a roomier toe box, giving the toes more space while retaining a more traditional heel shape.
That distinction is important. Calla isn't trying to make shoes that look like specialist footwear. The idea is to create something that looks like a stylish pair of shoes first - while quietly building in features that can make them more comfortable for feet that need a little more room.
The shoes are made from European leather and suede, with design details intended to accommodate bunions discreetly. The elevated vamps, for example, help give the front of the shoe more space while also keeping the overall silhouette sleek.
Calla's shoes also feature cushioned, arch-supported insoles for additional comfort.
Fashion and comfort don't have to be opposites…
What I like about the Calla story is that it starts with a very ordinary frustration: why should women have to choose between shoes that look good and shoes they can actually walk in? It's a question that comes up repeatedly when we talk about inclusive fashion. Clothing and footwear are often designed around an assumed “standard” body, leaving anyone outside that narrow idea of fit to compromise.
Calla takes a different approach.
The brand has attracted customers in more than 60 countries and, in 2018, Jennifer was recognised with an Inspiring Woman Award.
For anyone who has spent far too long searching for shoes that accommodate bunions or wider feet without sacrificing style, Calla is certainly worth knowing about.
Please note: product designs, materials and availability can change, so check the Calla Shoes website for the latest information.