Spotlight on Kathryn Kerrigan

Designer Spotlight on Kathryn Kerrigan High fashion shoe designer Kathryn Kerrigan knows a lot about walking in a tall woman's shoes. When she was in high school, Kathryn remembers visiting six regional malls in the Chicago area just to find prom shoes for her size 11 feet.

After years of unsuccessfully searching for fashionable shoes that fit, six-foot-tall Kathryn decided to end her frustration and start her own line of shoes for tall women who need larger shoe sizes.

Kathryn Kerrigan shoes are high quality and fabulously stylish - the line includes flats, formals, pumps, boots, wedges and booties in a wide variety of colors and materials.

What was your experience at NY Fashion Week like?

Working with Janet Kim of graeyny was a great experience. Our shoes looked great with her ready-to-wear dresses, the stylists did such an amazing job. Everyone was so professional and for our first experience with NY Fashion Week, we could not have asked for a better one. We hope to work with Janet again.

In the age-old debate of fashion versus comfort, what do you feel is most important in a shoe?

I would have to say fashion - I guess it is the shoe designer in me. I always wanted fashionable shoes. That is the great thing about Kathryn Kerrigan Shoes: women do not have to choose, we are the only luxe comfort shoe collection available in Euro sizes 36-46 (U.S. sizes 6-15). Women who wear our shoes are in fashion and can wear their shoes comfortably all day.

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

Wow, I have never counted! About 300. Friends told me that I was cheating on myself because I used to wear other designer shoes - now most of my shoes are my own brand.

Your line of shoes caters specifically to women who struggle to find footwear that fits. Why do you think so many designers seem to ignore tall women?

I don't know if designers necessarily ignore tall women; they just may be a little behind the trend. Research shows that as girls are becoming more athletic their shoe sizes are becoming larger. 40% of women wear a size 9 or above. We have several 12 and 13-year-old girls that are customers, and they already wear a size 11.

What was your most valuable experience working with craftsmen in Italy?

Working with the craftsmen in Italy really led me to appreciate the process by which my shoes are made. I was told that each shoe transfers through up to 50 craftsmen before it is completed, but to actually see this process is amazing, from the cutting, to the stitching and then the addition of embellishments - the process is amazing and worth every penny.

How does the design process in Europe differ from here in the U.S.?

In my opinion, the European design process is more about style and fashion, and in the U.S., design can be cost driven, trying to fit into a certain price point. I have had retailers here in the U.S. try to get me to change my design process to fit into the price point they are looking for, and I refuse to do that.

Describe your ideal shoe design.

My idea of a perfect design would be something completely impractical, very high fashion couture, with a high stiletto heel and an overpowering embellishment like a flower or ornament.

Who has influenced your artistic vision the most?

I have always been influenced by my Grandmother Dottie Kerrigan's fashion standard, feminine and classic. Grandma Dottie epitomized the 1920s flapper: her closet was full of classic colors, shapes and styles of the finest quality. She taught me to let confidence be the center of my style.