IN LEANDRA MEDINE’S SHOES

While Leandra Medine remains true to her avant-garde aesthetic, her debut collection – the first under her own name – offers an array of very wearable footwear. Sure to delight the legions of fans who flock to Man Repeller’s Instagram to pour over her #OOTDs, or latterly, #Shoefies (shoe selfie to the uninitiated), the collection is characterised by unlikely contrasts, proving hot pink flourishes and houndstooth needn’t be mutually exclusive.

“Aimed at meeting the complicated, often paradoxical but always exquisite desires of a woman,” according to the brand, the collection acts as a canvas for Medine’s scatter gun of styles and influences. Cast largely in heritage checks and soot black with a smattering of pink thrown in for good measure, the line-up easily fits into wardrobes, with not a too-towering heel in sight. Quirky? Yes. Man-repelling? No.

In keeping with autumn’s taste for all things eighties, a standout pair of pointed patent boots arrive with a removable corsage – very Carrie Bradshaw – while another is accentuated with graphic monochrome check. Ruffles froth across the front of some kitten-heel mules, which will be street style catnip, while the glittering Studio 54-esque sandals are destined for party season and make a cracking boomerang video according to the influencer, who knows a thing or two about racking up likes.

As the shoes land in-store and online, we spoke to the designer to discuss her namesake line and why she’s designed it for every woman who refuses to apologise for her being.

So, you’ve got your own line of shoes. Is this something you’ve always wanted to do?
Not consciously; shoes have always been my favourite fashion category but until I started to feel like the offering was no longer appealing to the nuances of my taste, I didn't think to, or want to throw my hat into the ring. But there is so much space to create within the thoughtful lines of what is already out there – shoes that are reliable and comfortable and well suited to everyday but neither boring nor too outlandish.

What three words do you think best describe your brand?
An unpeeling onion (because, you know, there are so many layers).

The new line-up combines traditional elements of tailoring, such as the houndstooth check and loafer shape, with glitzy accents; why did you decide to make this contrast?
It is a reflection of my identity – of identity at large. None of us are so one dimensional that we should be made to subscribe to just a single facet of taste when in fact it is precisely the contrasts that make us who we are.

Which pair is your favourite?
This is a tie between the houndstooth loafer and the patent leather combat boot – they both satisfy my constant pursuit for a good boot and loafer respectively.

And how would you style them in a look?
Denim shirt tucked into mid-rise, straight leg jeans with the houndstooth loafers – no question, or the combat boots paired with an A-line wool mini skirt, cropped printed sweater and a pea coat. Pro-tip regarding the kitten heel boots: they are just as much fun worn with the floral brooch at the centre, or you can remove it and wear that as a bracelet or anklet should you please.

The Pepto-Bismol pink ankle boots with the kitten heel feel quite 80s, what is your favourite fashion era?
The one we are living in.

You’ve been championing the #OneLeggedSelfie as a means of getting your shoes of the day in shot – what does a perfect selfie look like to you?
I enjoy a crouching selfie wherein all four corners of the square photo are covered.

You’re also a fan of a shoefie, which pair from the edit makes the best shoe shot?
The ruffle mules or silver jingling rhinestone sandal – a particular favourite if you are a fan of the boomerang.

Do you think becoming a mother has had an effect on your wardrobe? If so, why?
I do not believe it has impacted my style, but if I try very hard to find a shift in my dressing since having had children then I suppose I can argue that my wanting to get dressed up has been amplified, but I think this is more a response to what the zeitgeist is putting out and overall athleisure fatigue and less about being a mom.

If you could walk in any body’s shoes for a day who would you choose and why?
I'm very happy walking in my own shoes and prefer not to glorify the notion of escaping my own life to slip into someone else's, but if I could, I think I'd like to spend a day in my husband's shoes, just to better understand him. (Never enough, right?)