What’s the first pair of shoes you remember owning?
When I was around eight years old, I had a family wedding to attend. However my feet were already adult-sized. My mum searched everywhere for an age-appropriate pair of shoes, and we ended up with a pair of black leather loafers with a cute tartan detail.
What led you to launch a size-inclusive footwear brand?
I am a tall woman and I have always struggled to find stylish, large-size women’s shoes, especially since I wear a size 45 in European sizing (or size 13 in NZ/US).
As a teenager, it was very difficult to find shoes for things like school balls and I could never go shoe shopping with my friends because the stores didn’t carry my size. It’s a tough feeling for any young woman to feel like she doesn’t fit in, and that experience motivated me to make a change.
I started Oya to create an inclusive and welcoming place for people who wear extended-size shoes. I wanted to offer customers a fun and joyful shopping experience, where they can find beautiful, handmade Italian shoes in their size.
Tell us about your design process.
I focus on creating timeless styles that will endure through the seasons. Thanks to the high-quality Italian craftsmanship, each pair features details specifically designed for larger-size feet.
My designs are shaped by my own experience as a tall woman. I prioritise silhouettes that flatter longer feet and heels with the perfect height - 5 cm, which I’ve found is ideal for comfort and style.
The design process is a collaboration with my talented team in Marche, Italy - a region famous for its shoe-making heritage. I’m fortunate to work with a skilled artisan who takes my sketches and design briefs and turns them into the shoes of my dreams.
What does Oya mean?
Oya means a beautiful, intelligent and confident woman. That’s just how I want our customers to feel when they wear our shoes.
What’s your favourite Oya style?
While I adore every pair, the Ramona in ivy suede is particularly special to me. The rich green suede is so lush and adds beautiful texture, and the shoes are lined with real leather, making them incredibly comfortable. The Ramona is also a versatile style - it looks great with jeans, you can wear them to the office and I’ve even worn my pair to a black-tie event.