On Our Radar: Sophia Webster

I spend the majority of my days checking out seasoned designers’ collections. While I love to see the evolution of a designer’s work, I especially enjoy being surprised by something out of the ordinary, like a new brand that I know nothing about. That’s exactly what happened to me last week. In between a crazy schedule of Resort shows, I stopped by to see Nicholas Kirkwood’s latest shoes. The scoop: tons of metallics, lots of single soles, very chic evening shoes, multicolored pumps, and animal prints.

Just as I was about to leave the showroom, I popped into a second room with more shoes. To my surprise, it wasn’t more from Kirkwood, it was a collection by Sophia Webster, who worked with him for years and is now launching her own line with the help and support of Kirkwood. The shoes (her debut outing) have the same British cool factor as her mentor’s, but she’s kicked things up a notch and her shoes are even brighter and more playful than his. Webster certainly has her foot in the right door for now, and I can’t wait to see where she’ll be in the next couple of years. While I was there, I spotted a team member from luxury New York retailer Kirna Zabête eyeing the pieces and can only hope other stores will be placing orders, too. Sophia Webster is definitely one to watch. Here, Style.com has an exclusive first look at Webster’s heels.