Friday, November 7, 2014

Lady O Shoes Takes Floral Prints To The Next Level [Exclusive Interview] by Fashion Times, New York.

Lady O Shoes has been featured in Fashion Times, New York! Check out the exclusive interview with our founder, Lesley Zheng today! 
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Lady O Shoes Takes Floral Prints To The Next Level [Exclusive Interview]

Nov 03, 2014 02:07 PM EST


Floral prints for spring are nothing new, but Lesley Zheng, the woman behind Lady O Shoes, has found a way to make the pretty pattern fresh again.


Lady O Shoes recently made its debut for the spring 2015 season with a collection of footwear made from real flowers. Using a patent-pending design process, Lady O Shoes products are crafted using pressed flowers that are picked at their peak and infused in vinyl.
Ranging in price from $158 to $338, the shoes in this debut collection come in a variety of styles, including platform peep-toe slingbacks, wedges and flat sandals - all of which are available in patent leather and braided raffia.

We recently chatted with Zheng about her debut collection for Lady O Shoes, her decision to use real flowers in her designs and much more. Keep reading to learn more about this emerging and innovative footwear brand.

1. What was the inspiration for your debut collection?
"The inspiration comes from nature. Growing up, I really loved the vibrant colors of flowers and butterflies. I really wanted to include those vibrant colors into my own designs."

2. Describe Lady O Shoes in a few words.
"We like to refer to Lady O Shoes as the four F's: Floral, Fun, Fresh and Fabulous. Other words that describe us include artistic, unique and comfortable."

3. Why use real flowers in your designs?

"I have been in the shoe industry for over 16 years, I have seen countless styles try to mimic natural flowers and preserve that spring and summer feeling. However, the results are predictable; designers use flower print or artificial flowers made of fabric or plastic. These are pale imitations of the real thing. I wanted to make something original and authentic that could preserve the beauty of nature. The pressed flowers incorporated into our designs allow people to have a piece of nature in their shoes."

4. Lady O Shoes are made with NASA's Poron® memory foam, which sounds amazing. Can you describe the feel of your shoes and why it was important to make them so comfortable?
"You will feel the excellent support from the Poron® memory foam and the arch support design immediately. Even after hours of wearing our high heels, your feet still feel great! The experience of wearing shoes that left my feet blistered was the real catalyst for me to make a comfortable shoe line. I looked at my shoe closet and wondered 'Why can't I have beautifully designed shoes that I can walk in for more than a half hour?' I decided to fuse high-end designer style with comfort. It is important to me to have a pair of shoes that are not only one-of-a-kind but also wearable."

5. Other than the fact that you use real flowers, what makes Lady O Shoes different from other footwear brands?
"Lady O Shoes are a combination of unique style and comfort. Lady O Shoes are made in the same factories with some of the same materials as luxury brands like Stuart Weitzman, Sigerson Morrison and Michael Kors."

6. Do you have plans to eventually create shoes without pressed flowers? If so, can you explain the ideas you have or other areas you want to explore?
"Yes, the pressed flower shoes are part of our debut collection. We will keep some pressed flower pieces in our upcoming fall collection. However, our next collection will also include some classic and timeless styles without pressed flowers. We are currently researching and creating some vintage-inspired styles as well as wedding-worthy bridal styles."

7. Who would you love to see wear one of your designs?
"I would love to see some A-list celebrities wearing our designs. I'm a big fan of Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon, Carrie Underwood, Blake Lively and Olivia Palermo and would love to see them in Lady O Shoes."

8. Excluding a pair of Lady O Shoes, what's one type of shoe you think every woman should own?
"I think a pair of knee-high leather boots would be an excellent addition to any woman's wardrobe. I think the Stuart Weitzman signature 50/50 boot is great because it can easily be worn day to night. The boots are also comfy, timeless and have style just like Lady O Shoes."

9. What's your favorite fall 2014 footwear trend?
"Shoes with sparking elements like jewelry and beads are some of my favorite trends for fall. I love embellishments."

10. What's one fall 2014 footwear trend you can't stand?
"Crisscross-strap flats like those from Proenza Schouler. I won't say I can't stand them, but I think they are funny-looking."