Under the leadership of its founder, the popularity of Vaila’s Shoes continues to spread. Recent headways at the 2023 Atlanta Fashion Week positioned the up and coming shoe mogul, as a rising star in re-inventing the world of shoe fashion; and how it will serve those dames, possessing bigger ankles, to their name! Alas! The Autumn 2023 Season has blown its winds into this current year!

The new collection of Vaila Shoes is adamant in bringing extended flaire to the Autumn 2023 season. A Seat At The Table is its name. Feminine colors of the Autumn period are sure to illuminate those thick- ankled dames, and how they, too, are showcasing their size as a fashionable trend in women’s footwear. In hindsight, it gives these corporate dames the permission to embrace their footwear sizes, footwear personalities. Vaila Shoes’ primary clients are women in the business scene. A perfect group to re-explore flowery footwear in the business scene!

“This new collection is a seat at the table. And I really wanted to highlight that because a lot of our inspiration comes from making dress shoes for the workplace and after hours.  Kind of thinking about Fall and Winter in the workplace. There are a lot of opportunities, where individuals are setting at a table strategizing about things; making sure they are hitting their goals and KPs, and I wanted to create a collection, that highlighted that women with extended sizes has a seat at the table-not only in fashion, but also in business,” states Ahrianna Edwards- Founder and CEO of Vaila Shoes.

In addition to the Autumn theme, the aim of the collection is to also create dress shoes for the Winter season and after-work hours.

Another exciting treat for A Seat At The Table is its inclusion of the masculine touch to the footwear scene.  “You’ll be seeing those masculine and feminine colors coming together in the format of flats; in the format of kitten heels; in the format of pumps,” describes Edwards.

Just when you thought the trend of shaking up fashionable footwear had ended, another Autumn fruit was grown from the world of Vaila.  One of such barings will be the creation of dress sneakers. Its apparent that the Autumn anthem is giving Vaila fans a preview for merchandise, which will cater to the men; those gents, wno also want to make their footwear options part of the fashionable trend. The future projects of Vaila Shoes look to re-form traditional and restrictive norms for businesses, and the boss women (and men), who wear them.  While suits and businesswear are fine, business also has many realms of creativity; its very own fashion sense! Vaila Shoes’ upcoming innovation in business fashion is definitely creating new rules for how a woman, or man, can walk into the business worlds!

The feel for the Autumn Collection, A Seat At The Table, gives that particular Earthly aura that only the Fall season can give. With products such as Valencia Pumps Nude, Valencia Pumps Chocolate, Lila Sandal, the Rosalind Flats Red, and others, the spices come alive! In fact, it also gives clientele a feeling into their own, Earthly essence for the Fall 2023 year.  Just imagine how soothing and warm any woman can feel when wearing such colors of this seasonal decor! Maybe it’s been a long time for such businesswomen to have felt feminine when working in the corporate world. Now, such women have the chance to reflect the work of their autumn harvest. Now, they can hear it in the very steps they take.

As the footwear revolution takes place, Vaila Shoes is becoming more expansive for interested clientele.  What started out as mainly an East Coast base, has now reached Canada, Mexico, Los Angeles, and Middle States of the United States of America. The company looks to expand its outreach to other major cities and nations. However, while being situated in the city of Atlanta, the urban paradise has ample opportunities for visibility and growth. One of such was their  recent feature at the 2023 Atlanta Fashion Week.  From October 7-8, 2023, the ATLFW × Bloomindales Retail Experience took place at the Bloomingdale’s store location inside of Lenox Mall.  Vaila Shoes served as one of the representations for the latest innovations in the fashion scene.  This invitation by Bloomingdale’s further cemented an initial relationship, which is initially responsible for the company’s Macy’s collaboration and debut.

While one quiet discussion on women, feet, fashion, and comfort is present, another conversation opens up the talk; especially this important shift in the fashion industry. The question of larger feet women, translates into larger size women. For a long time, the only acceptable size in the high fashion world, were those stick-figured model types. As more full figured, “thick,” and plus sized women move into the fashion scene, the concept of “fashionable feet,” will also be open for question. What sizes and shapes have been considered “the most beautiful” of feet? How have these images limited the fashion world? And finally, how will Vaila Shoes be known for having opened up that conversation? Afterall, the brand has made a way for beauty to be found in the big-big feet and big ankles, that is! How will the beautification of “unusual” foot shape and foot structures be revealed through Vaila?

Autumn whispers of one North Carolinian dame has produced a vast harvest.  For Ahrianna Edwards, this 2023 Autumn Collection, truly personified the fruits of her recent harvest. Being immersed in the collection served as a period of growth for the young business owner. “Since we launched into Macy’s, we’ve grown so much. I always tell folks that God is so good. I put that in the center of everything,” states Edwards.  Having a fanbase of “seasoned corporate women,” adds more into the recipe for how Vaila Shoes wishes to expand variety into their brand.

The 2023 new Autumn Collection for Vaila Shoes continues to demonstrate its seasonal exploration of women’s footwear. It’s inclusion of men’s apparel will be another Autumn treat. A Seat At The Table. This newest collection seeks to put a twist on masculine and feminine footwear-a duality of the ying and yang. Lastly, it gives women their Earthly, Autumn walk, when sitting down at more fashionable, business tables!

The post Walking To “Seat” At More Fashionable Tables appeared first on The Bold Maven™️.

Shoes add a zesty attitude to a person’s feet. They carry an individual from place to place, point to point, and space to space, collecting different stories of the day. When it comes to the world of womanhood, there is a heightened sense of femininity.  Whether they be high heels, short heels, or flats, it’s the shoes, which seals the final deal on a woman’s fashionable essence, through any attire of her choosing.

So often, women with large ankles, and large feet, are viewed as “less fashionable,” than their “average” counterparts.  The sense of feeling “less than a woman,” or dressing down, has impacted the ability for larger and taller women to fully showcase their vibrant personality.  If you are a large woman, have you ever felt blocked in wearing the shoes, which makes your inner fashionista come to life? For one determined businesswoman, a perfect solution came to mind. Big ankles? No problem. Large feet? A small feat. Enter the world of, Vaila Shoes.

Founded by businesswoman and CEO, Ahriana Edwards, Vaila Shoes is a special world, where large and tall women can demonstrate just how fashionable their walk can be. Born and reared in Charlotte, North Carolina, Edwards highlights her personal testimony in creating Vaila Shoes.  What began as a journey in middle school, where she was seen as the “big, awkward girl, with big feet,” transformed into finding a way that large women, with large feet would receive love from fashion, too!

“All I wanted to do is be girly.  I just wanted to be very feminine. . .That was stripped from me for a couple of years because I didn’t have access to feminine shoes, or shoes that were cute for my age.”

For Ahriana Edwards, access for dresses and accessories was never a problem for large girls in the fashion world.  Yet, the shoes. . .oh the shoes! If only girls with larger calves and ankles could find the right shoes to wear. In finding the right shoes, Edwards found herself starting the company in May 2020.  Fast forward roughly two years later, Vaila Shoes was officially launched in March 2022.

“I was studying to be a business owner;

just didn’t quite know what that business

would be. However, I didn’t have a fashion

background.  Fashion is one of those

industries, where you have to know

somebody to really get plugged in, states

Edwards.”

The Charlotte native’s persistence has indeed paid off.  Currently, she is one of the youngest Black women (Black American) to have an official partnership with Macy’s.  Vaila Shoes can be purchased in Macy’s Time Square (NYC), Fashion Center (Pentagon City in Washington D.C.), Cumberland Mall, Lenox Mall, and Stonecrest Mall in Atlanta, Georgia. Of course, there’s also the online option at Macy’s.com. Some of the most popular shoes from the collection include the Rosaline Flat (which includes the embellishment strap), Valencia, and Michelle (in honor of First Lady Michelle Obama).

A memory’s return to the not so distant past addresses a personal issue, which would later inspire a brand, where big and tall girls, could also feel part of fashion’s shoe world.

“In middle school, I’ve always been that

tall, kind of awkward girl; big feet.

Everyone’s asked if I played basketball.

All I wanted to do was just be girly.  I just

wanted to be very feminine. And, I think

that one of the reasons behind the brand

of Vaila is tagline of take your feminine

power back because I feel like for me, that

was stripped from me for a couple of

years because I didn’t have access to

feminine shoes. . .seeing myself diminish

my fashion expression because I didn’t

see representation of plus-size shoes on

the market for me.”

Like many individuals, Ahriana Edwards took the opportunity, during the COVID-19 pandemic, to put her plan to work. Attempts to re-decorate her wardrobe, further opened her eyes to challenges, that women of a certain size face daily.

“I could find the dress suits, the accessories, but I could still never find those dress shoes, and that was one of the reasons for me creating Vaila because we could find sneakers. We could find something general, but when it came to handle business or to show up as a boss woman, that I felt like I was to be confident, I’ve never had that. And so, I created Vaila to give ladies like me availability, which is where the name came from.”

Now, with Vaila Shoes, those taller, and larger dames, can show off their feminine footwear.  In addition to being suitable for the workplace, Vaila Shoes brings a touch of normalcy to those larger-sized women.

“Our style is very much based on versatility.  So, it’s very much for the workplace and after hours. . .things to wear in the workplace and then go out to a drink with your girls, or handle a corporate dinner.  You know, anything classy because it’s made for that woman on the go, who just happens to have larger feet.”

As Vaila’s Shoes continue to make their expansion into the shoe market, the Black American, Southern Lady has not forgotten the impact of her Carolina roots. The pace and speed for the city of Charlotte gives this businesswoman much inspiration for the creation of this innovative shoe line. How people walk is in a manner, that is not too fast and not too slow. Its a medium that is, just right! Having observed the walking pace of her mother, and other Black American women around her-the key theme has always been one word: purpose. 

“My family has always been on the go.  They always walked with a purpose.  It’s funny because now it relates to how I wanted Vaila to give purpose to the girls.”

The cool breeze, fresh-cut grass, chirping of crickets, and the birds drinking from bird wells are subtle reminders of those Charlotte walks designed the very existence of, Vaila Shoes!  Just think that it was all for larger, and taller, girls to receive feminine, friendly, and fashionable love, too!

For more information on Vaila Shoes, you may go to the link, below:

https://www.vailashoes.com/

The post Tall Girls Need Fashionable Footwear, Too! appeared first on The Bold Maven™️.

There are designers, with intriguing stories, who travel high and low, near and far to locate those textiles; all of which encompasses their personal stories. For one Liberian/Ghanaian American, her creation in the fashion industry required travel. It meant returning back to a certain space, time, and wellness to understand her purpose for fashion.

If you have ever been enchanted by a rose, then imagine it’s scents of West African persuasion.  It’s always the sensory, which reminds humanity that there are more invigorating images of our intrinsic, cultural existence, than what we have been permitted to see. Yet, through this scented rose, we are gifted with one vision into the Liberian and Ghanaian fashion scene. The name of this fashionable world is SokanaRose and the vision behind such a world is, fashion designer, Nwame-Rose Williams.

Nwame-Rose Williams’ passion for the fashion industry first began during her youth. “My love for fashion began as a child, but I grew more interested in it, as a theater major. I thoroughly enjoyed assisting with costume designing, and seeing the finished work on the stage, during our shows.” In addition, the world of design and fashion also runs in the family tree.

“Growing up, the majority of the clothing I wore to church, and formal events, were sewn by my mother, using modern sewing patterns.  In fact, she even sewed the dress I wore to my Senior Prom.  But, I also remember my grandfather had a chest full of expensive, authentic African Kente cloths and gowns from Ghana. He would often show me, while explaining the history of the fabric.”

The name of the brand, SokanaRose, translates to “some kind of” rose.  With such a name, you become attracted to a unique scent of West African delight!

With fashion shows throughout the country, the Liberian-Ghanaian designer has brought an invigorating touch, while experiencing the high-profile world of SokanaRose is adding another fabric of storytelling to the fashion scene. Some of those high-profile shows include New York Fashion Week with International Beautiful You Tour (at The Stewart Hotel), The Time Square Street Show with The Fashion Experience, Miami Swim Week, Miss America Pageant Teens and Junior, Magnificent Fashion Show in Gulfport, Mississippi (featuring America’s Next Top Model Alum, Victoria Henley), and others. In total, the SokanaRose has participated in over 20 fashion shows since its initiation.

For Nwame-Rose Williams, the initial phase of the COVID-19 period was a testimony to birthing through a period of adversity.  It was the perfect timing in accomplishing a major feat, during that chaotic time period. Having decided to leave corporate America in 2019, Williams retreated back into her passion for fashion. The SokanaRose brand officially started in April 2021. It was only a matter of time before it would make its showcase to US landscapes. Time was on her sign. Within 9 months, SokanaRose took off by storm.

For those intriguing dames, who happen to make pieces of SokanaRose as part of their wardrobe, they can look forward to a variety of attire, which caters to “professional women, who enjoy bold, colorful, and trendy fashion.” The signature pieces of SokanaRose includes off-shoulder sleek bodycon printed dresses, a 4-way 2-piece skirt set; bodycon tube-top jumpsuits; and a mudcloth and leather bag, with a wooden, Sankofa bird handle.  If you have ever attended a fashion scene, with the phenomenon of SokanaRose, one is likely to experience a world where the water tales of Liberian and Ghanaian shores come to life.

The city of Atlanta has been a fashionable garden for one rose.

“Almost upon immediately upon launching, I was invited to showcase my collection at various shows around the city. My very first fashion show was at Calvin Johnson presents Atlanta Fashion Week, where I had the opportunity to network with other creative and influential people from the metro area.”

As the summer season gets underway, interested buyers of SokanaRose can look forward to the up and coming All White Summer Collection.  “It will show the versatility of the brand by showing all-white styles with an African print flair,” states Williams. It’s evident that Summer 2023 will expand the creative venture of SokanaRose. Get ready for a summer, rose scent! It’s going to be filled, with a dual twists of Liberian mixtures, with a tastes of Ghanaian breeze!

The post Fashionable Memories of A Rose: Liberian-Ghanaian Designer Rises In Popularity In U.S. Markets! appeared first on The Bold Maven™️.