Why Loeffler Randall’s Shoes And Accessories Are The Perfect Finish For Every Look
The Manhattan-based brand fuses classic appeal with contemporary cool to create designs you’ll always want to wear
“We love designing for the summertime, making the season our muse,” reads Loeffler Randall’s SS24 collection notes. The brainchild of Jessie Loeffler Randall and her husband Brian, the namesake shoe brand was launched in 2004 from the couple’s home in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, with Jessie as creative director. Having originally worked in advertising, she switched to fashion in her mid twenties and studied at New York’s prestigious Parsons School of Design. The debut Loeffler Randall collection was designed to fill a gap in the market for the footwear silhouettes that Jessie loved and couldn’t find – pairs that deftly balanced classic appeal with contemporary design nous, imbued with a romantic, playful sensibility. The first pair was named after Jessie’s grandmother, Harriet.
The spring/summer ’24 collection follows the brand’s DNA – pleated fabrics and unexpected details, with styles updated via the bows, feathers and pearls that are signature. The team has a knack for reading the current seasonal mood and fusing timeless designs with a freshness. This season is no exception: crochet, mesh and raffia details underpin the collection, perfect for warm days and balmy evenings – see the chunky ‘Theo’ sandals, ‘Daphne’ raffia slides, and ‘London’ mesh ballet flats. Pieces are always elevated with a forensic eye for detail – think grosgrain trims, ric-rac edging and delicate crystal and hardware embellishment. Alongside the lineup of wear-with-everything shoes, the raffia totes and shoulder bags are perfect for sunshine escapes, or to bring a touch of bohemian chic to city looks. The palette features soft neutrals shot through with flashes of bold tones, and illustrates the brand’s masterful use of color. “We’re delighting in the little things this season, finding something special in each silhouette,” reads the collection notes – the house’s legions of fans will agree.
“Crochet, mesh and raffia details underpin the collection, perfect for warm days and balmy evenings
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Today, the brand operates from a light-filled studio on Broadway in Manhattan’s SoHo. During its two decades in business, its shoes have graced the feet of a host of style icons, including Margot Robbie, Zendaya, and Bella Hadid, with the brand expanding the collection over the years from purely footwear into handbags, accessories and ready-to-wear. The aesthetic remains true to Jessie’s original vision, reflecting her own elegant personal style – iconic designs that stand the test of time and are intended to take the busy Loeffler Randall customer from school drop-off to meetings to evening events with ease.
Creative director Jessie draws inspiration from myriad places, citing travel, vintage, crafts and interiors among her influences. And, due to the considered practices the brand employs in the creation of the collections – manufacturing in small batches, careful awareness of fabrications and processes – several of Loeffler Randall’s pieces are included in our NET SUSTAIN edit of consciously crafted designs. The creation of each pair of shoes is meticulous – on average, it takes 40 pairs of hand mockups to perfect a style. The result, in the brand’s own words, is “products that are meant to be loved and lived in for seasons and years to come”. Looking at designs such as the iconic ‘Camellia’, a pair of bow-detail mules, and the classic ‘Ryder’ leather heeled sandals, it is clear this philosophy plays out in the collections.