British shoe designer Sophia Webster is getting prime real estate at Harrod’s. On Feb. 16, the high-end London department store is debuting a Sophia Webster pop-up shop, highlighting her irreverent approach to design.
The collection will feature more than 60 looks, displayed among faux flowers and fruit on a girlie-pink wooden cart. According to the designer, the concept is “London’s Most Luxurious Fruit Stall,” a nod to the many markets in London’s East End, where Webster’s studio is located.
The designer built a fast following with her diverse collection for spring ’15, which includes a colorful, fresh takes on the classic halter style and whimsical ankle-strap shoes.
The twentysomething Webster, who boasts designer Nicholas Kirkwood among her supporters, launched her eponymous collection in spring ’13 to rave reviews. The made-in-Brazil line, retailing from $395 to $1,195, is already sold in more than 30 countries, including boutiques such as Colette in Paris and Matches in London. In the U.S., the line is carried by Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.
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Webster’s résumé also includes runway styles for Victoria’s Secret and a partnership with J.Crew.
In an exclusive interview with Footwear News, the designer said she plans to expand her handbag line and grow her baby-shoe capsule collection, Sophia Webster Mini, into a wardrobe of children’s styles.
While she marches to her own footwear drummer, Webster admits to having taken a fashion tip now and then from pop icon Gwen Stefani.
“She has timeless style, and we are similar in that we’re kind of girly-tomboy,” said Webster. “She does that really well. She’s the queen of it. When I was growing up, I was obsessed with her. When I was about 14, I went to a No Doubt concert at Brixton Academy, and I fainted. I woke up in an ambulance — I’d missed the whole thing! It was a bit overwhelming.”
