Put Your Best Foot Forward With Jennifer Chamandi

From a young age, Jennifer Chamandi Boghossian understood the transformative power of a great pair of shoes. Growing up, she would wear her mother’s heels around the house – “even when I was studying or doing homework, I have always felt they made me feel more powerful and confident,” she says. “I always said I studied better in heels! My attitude always changed entirely when I was wearing a great pair of shoes – so it ignited a desire to share this feeling with other women.”

These days, that is exactly what she is doing. Despite starting her working life in the finance world (where, obviously, Chamandi would wear towering heels on the trading floor), in 2016 she launched her fabulous Jennifer Chamandi footwear brand. Cut to today and her central vision for the brand remains the same as it was on day one: to make shoes for “women on a mission,” she says. “And to create confidence-inducing designs that inspire women to step into their power and forge their path – which, I hope, in turn, inspires them to inspire and empower others.” Judging by her client list – which includes Catherine, the Princess of Wales, Queen Rania of Jordan, Amal Clooney and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex – it’s working.

Confident in her modern elegance, Chamandi Boghossian is an advocate of “evolution not revolution”. She knows what works for her brand and her woman: quiet glamour, pure lines, precision chic. “I am proud of the fact that our founding styles are still the most in-demand – and the reason we have such a loyal customer. I love to update and tweak every season.” Signature styles include the point-toe ‘Lorenzo’ pump and the ‘Vittorio’ slingback, which comes in an easy flat- or stiletto-heeled version. Every style is finished with the gold-plated ‘Eye of the Needle’ design. Representative of the brand’s impeccable Italian-made craftsmanship and technical prowess, it’s also an ‘if you know, you know’ nod to fellow Jennifer Chamandi footwear fans.

For her SS24 collection, Chamandi Boghossian found herself thinking of the notion of a fresh start. “It is all about uncomplicated silhouettes this season: classic courts, block heels and kitten-heel slingbacks. We know our woman has places to go and needs to move about quickly!” says the designer. Palette-cleansing neutrals are shaken up by blasts of color – or luxe jolts of snake, satin or crystal embellishment.

Chamandi Boghossian’s favorites include the slingback ‘Mario 65’ kitten heel in crystal red mesh or black and white snake. She’s also excited about wearing the ‘Vittorio’ pumps in the same punchy primary shade. “They will be my go-to for summer evenings,” she says. “A punch of red to a classic outfit is always a winner” – as is a great pair of shoes. “We talk a lot about the fierce feminine, celebrating this dichotomy that exists within a woman and creating shoes that enable her to be the person she wants to be,” concludes Chamandi Boghossian, who knows that the most stylish thing of all is a woman who can step into her power and walk to her own beat.