When I was 17, I gave a speech at my High School in my favorite pair of shoes: 4-inch tall pink patent leather Mary-Jane heels. I was student-body president, and it was an awards ceremony at the end of the school year. Another parent in the audience turned to my Mom, mid-speech, and asked, “how can you let such a bright girl wear those shoes?” as though there was a direct correlation between my brainpower and my footwear. My parents’ embrace of my kooky fashion sense as a child had a tremendous impact on me. It may seem frivolous to you — as most traditionally feminine interests often do — but it was crucially important to me. My parents let me wear what I wanted, regardless of the projections other people placed on my fashion choices. Because that’s what it was - their projections, their problem, and their history — not ours. People have strong reactions to things that feel complicated to them, but that doesn’t mean you have to take that on. Shoes aren’t complicated for me — they are pure joy and self-expression, one of the happiest parts of my day. Needless to say, I’ve loved shoes forever. Fun, glittery, happy shoes. Shoes that I can dance in and commute in and that sparkle when I walk. It’s an absolute dream for me to release the first collection of Hill House Shoes. Like all things Hill House, our shoes are deceivingly practical. They look delicate on the outside, but they’re sturdy, comfortable, and can weather a storm. They’re designed for use, with textured, treated linen and heat-applied gemstones that won’t stain or fall off. Our shoes were pressure tested at a facility that specializes in performance construction boots. They passed with flying colors. I like to think of our pink feathered platforms glistening next to a pair of steel-toed boots, waiting for a test. To each their own. I’m most proud of the incredible craftsmanship — these shoes were hand made by artisans in Italy at the most wonderful family-owned factory. Working with these artisans and the HH team - Fira, Nesli, Giuseppa, Bianca. Andrea, Pietro, Massimo, and Sara especially — is like working with the NBA all-star team (#sportsreference) Hill House Shoes drop 7/20 at 12 ET ✌🏻