Designer Shoes: Sandals

British-born and LA-based celebrity stylist Neil Rodgers has now added shoe designer to his repertoire. And with more than a decade’s worth of experience dressing A-list stars from head to toe, you know he’s one to turn to when it comes to all things fashionable. More importantly, he understands our need for comfort without ever, compromising style. Get to know the innovative designer and completely re-think about not slipping on some high heels whenever, wherever.

You’ve worked as a stylist for more than 15 years now. What made you venture into the shoe designing business? 

When putting a look together for a client, my favorite part of the process is always selecting the perfect shoe to compliment and bring together the look.  I’ve always loved the beauty, the shape, the lines and details of women’s shoes and the effect they have on the wearer in terms of posture, mood and appearance.  Their power is transformative. I wanted to create my own, more comfortable line of beautiful footwear for women, and so after studying at the Ars Sutoria School in Milan and finding the perfect factory to work with in Venice, the brand was born.

What/Who inspires your designs?

My main inspiration when I design is women. Women that are friends, contemporaries –iconic women from the past and present –some that I have met and others that I just admire.  I want to present a very modern, simple, updated version of elegance and wherever possible, combine this with increased comfort.  

You put an emphasis on comfort. How do you achieve that in a high heel?

We increased the padding in the toe bed of our closed toe styles and work with a last with a slightly roomier toe bed.  The straps are strategically placed to hold and support the foot to minimize friction on sensitive areas and we only use the highest quality lining materials –which feel great against the bare foot.  These are beautiful, high shoes and so the term ‘comfort’ is relative, that said, compared with most similar ‘high’ pumps and sandals, we perform very well in comfort tests.  

What for you, is the worst shoe trend that ever existed?

The first thing that comes to mind is the ‘sneakers with evening accessories’ trend (jewels, etc)  With the exception of the Roger Vivier ones, which I think work, I just don’t think they ever looked right.

Favorite shoe trend/style?

I like clean, very modern yet feminine lines. Chic!  Chic is always on trend.

Who would you like to see wearing your shoes?

I would love to see Charlize Theron in a pair of our Stella sandals (she does already own a pair)

Which celebrity do you think has the best shoe style?

Sarah Paulson has a pretty good shoe game going on.

Name three styles of shoes that every woman should own.

Classic, high, pointy pump.  Practical everyday pointy flats.  Strappy, high, barely there sandal.

What is the inspiration behind your Spring/Summer collection?

I took a vacation to the Hawaiian Island of Kauai and was taken aback by the color and beauty in nature there. The flowers and plants, the birds, the landscape.  Natural beauty.

Describe the perfect (non-dress) outfit to go with a pair of Petras.

Petra is a versatile style.  Dress up with feminine, cropped, wide leg pants or down with worn in, cuffed, calf length denim.

Shop the latest spring/summer collection directly at NeilJRodgers.com. Make sure to follow NJR on Facebook and Instagram for more shoe candy!

About the author: Romina Tobias is a freelance fashion and lifestyle writer who is also a hopeless shoe-addict. She thinks her 5’4″ height and her love for long walks make her deserving of all the stilettos, pumps, sandals and ballet flats in the world. If only the cupcakes she expertly bakes can be traded in for a new pair (or two, or hopefully, more).