Brandon Blackwood introduces the first ever sneaker stiletto design – Essence

Brandon Blackwood decided to pay homage to the 2000s in his fall/winter 2024 footwear collection. Over a Zoom call from his apartment in Brooklyn, the designer candidly recalls how he didn’t need to release a boring shoe. He ended up with an entire collection of interesting designs. Each option can also be upscale – none of those designs are intended for flowers on the partitions – they’re intended for many who wish to stay of their room or just in the office, in accordance with Blackwood.

“If you have a look at our bags and our collections of the whole lot else, our accessories, we wish to rejoice, loads of pop and stuff like that. But I like something somewhat weird and somewhat different,” said the designer.

The Paloma silhouette is offered in high-top sneakers, ankle boots and stilettos, priced at $200, $350 and $225, respectively. The designer says this design contains a “ghost” heel that gives respite from wearing heels all day long. Thanks to those details, there isn’t any pressure on the foot, as a substitute it’s created a bit of fabric on which you’ll be able to rest.

“In these shoes, simply because of the shape of the heel, most of the foot actually rests and is supported. So you levitate, but you do not suffer. Drawing inspiration from the 2000s, the sports-inspired option will probably be available in each black and white colorways.

Blackwood details that he desired to create a contemporary and funky version of heels. “I wanted easy colours so that they may very well be combined [them] with anything. They are really comfortable. If you have a look at them, you may see they’ve mesh they usually have all the features of a sneaker,” he added. Paloma stilettos are designed for corporate girls who often work in an office – the tight black leather during which they arrive is ideal for suits, trousers and more.

Paloma can also be popular because of its sheepskin in a deep green shade. When the designer was tasked with detailing how fur got here to be included in the collection, he said it was a detail he insisted on. It’s his way of referring to the cliché “falling forward” or the upcoming cold season that New York has on the horizon. He also describes them as “weird,” so that they fit perfectly with a few of his previous shoe designs, the Taxi Heel and the Joint Heel.

Brandon says the shoe is produced from the same material he used for the custom design he created for Beyonce’s tour. “It seems elegant [and] raised. It’s not leather, but it’s nice to look at. They’re nice to walk in and honestly, when you move in them and the way the light hits them, I think it’s just a sexy shoe.” He notes here that they decided to maintain the same heel as the Paloma sneakers to keep up the continuity of the collection.

The collection is accomplished with Lola, a neat heel available in gray and blue denim with a pointed toe. The peek-a-boo section on the top of this shoe is cheeky and a bit risqué. This design costs $250.

The designer fully hopes that folks born in the 90s will resonate with this collection. He expresses that Gen Z will almost definitely prefer it too, but his goal is the millennial generation. Blackwood also says he’s aware that his demographic is sort of large and spans many age ranges. That’s why his prices are inexpensive – you would not have them every other way.

Before we end our video call, Brandon shared that because his brand is comparatively recent, he feels most of his designs are viewed under a microscope. Therefore, he will likely be willing to take risks and experiment together with his final designs. “I think everything I do, especially as a Black-owned brand, has to hit home and I feel like this collection shows that our footwear is here to stay,” she adds.

Brandon Blackwood’s Fall/Winter 2024 footwear collection is currently available on the site brand website and their application. Prices start at $200. You can see exclusive photos of the collection below.

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Brandon Blackwood footwear collection for fall/winter 2024

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Brandon Blackwood footwear collection for fall/winter 2024

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Brandon Blackwood footwear collection for fall/winter 2024