The famous British shoes and accessories designer tells us about her daily routine and her summer and winter collections.
Leyla Melek

FASHION&TRAVEL Why shoes?
SOPHIA WEBSTER I was studying for my foundation in art at Camberwell College where we were drawing still life and I found that I loved drawing shoes more than anything else. I kept drawing shoes every day after that and enrolled in the BA Footwear Design course at Cordwainers College.

F&T How many shoes do you have of your own and where do you keep them?
SW I’ve lost count at this point! I have a whole room at home just for my shoes.

F&T Are you more of a morning person or an afternoon or night person?
SW Evening.

THE MORNING

F&T What time do you wake up?
SW I wake up early when my 8 month old daughter Bibi Blossom does.

F&T What do you do first thing in the morning?
SW I get up and get Bibi ready for the day.

F&T What do you have for breakfast?
SW I usually eat some fruit and have a cup of tea.

F&T What time do you go to office?
SW I drive over to the office arriving at 10 am.

F&T Do you have a daily work-out routine?
SW Running around the studio all day is a full time work-out!

MIDDAY

F&T What time/where do you have lunch?
SW I usually run out and grab some sushi or a sandwich to eat in the studio.

F&T What is the most important thing you have learned from Nicholas Kirkwood, who you worked for before?
SW I learnt so much from Nicholas and his business partner Christopher Suarez about the business of fashion, things you don’t even think about when you’re studying to become a designer like finding the right factory to product your shoes.

F&T Do you have your favorites; like your favorite color?
SW Pink is my favourite colour, that’s why I am obsessed with flamingos. They have always been my favourite animal.

F&T You recently launched a bridal collection. Can you tell us about it?
SW My friends kept asking me to design bespoke styles for their weddings and I thought I should launch something that all women could wear. The line is a selection of key styles from my main collection which I have reimagined in nuptial appropriate colours and fabrics of soft ivory and ice blue.

F&T Until what time do you work?
SW I usually try to leave the office at 6pm unless I am on deadline for a new collection or London Fashion Week.

IN THE EVENING

F&T How do you pass your time at home in the evening/weekends? Do you have any hobbies?
SW I spend time with my family and friends and I love dancing.

ON VACATION

F&T How often do you travel and where to?
SW I travel a lot for work. All of my shoes are produced in a factory in Brazil so I try to go there at least 4 times a year to check on production.

F&T What is the most amazing place you have been to?
SW I went to Negril, Jamaica for my honeymoon which is heaven on Earth.

F&T Do you make use of what you see during your travels in your work/designs?
SW Yes of course! Brazil is so beautiful and colourful, I love travelling
there and getting inspired.

F&T Can you tell us about your spring/summer 2015 collection?
SW My Spring/Summer 2015 collection is called ‘Jungle is Massive’. It was inspired by Henri Rousseau’s jungle scenes, mixed with the jungle rave scene of the 1990s.

F&T What is your favorite accessories trend for the season?
SW For Spring/Summer 2015, I am really drawn to mules. I reimagined my signature Riko shoe as a mule this season, it feels really fresh and modern.

F&T What will we see in your fall 2015 footwear collection?
SW My Autumn/Winter 2015 collection is called ‘Freak Like Me’. It was inspired by warped optic prints by artist Victor Vasarely, and traditional circus elements such as ringmasters and showgirls.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS FOR YOUR BRAND?

I’m having a lot of fun expanding my existing lines, I’ve just launched my bridal range and expanded my Mini line to include baby shoes for Autumn/Winter.