Emma Hope
London, W11 1RQ
UK
About
founded by
Emma Hope
belongs to
Emma Hope
about
Emma Hope was part of the flowering of talent in British shoe design in the late 1980s.
Her first collection was sold to shops in London and America in 1984.
From 1987 Hope began exhibiting collections under her own name; in the same year, her work was featured in the 22 different styles of boots and shoes accepted by the Design Council for their footwear selection.
When Hope started her business, her shoes were made to her specifications in London by skilled craftspeople, but this method became increasingly difficult and in 1995 she moved production of all her shoes to Italy.
The first Emma Hope flagship store in Japan opened in 2003 in Roppongi Hills, a leading shopping area in Tokyo. Her shoes and bags are in over 150 stores worldwide including Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman and Harrods.
The Look
She produce designs that were more straightforward and wearable and has described her shoes as "regalia for feet," decorative and distinctive but with comfort being an important feature. Inspiration comes from historical sources studied in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Shoe Museum in Northampton. Paintings and Greek and Roman statues have been explored for source material as well. Louis heels and elongated toes were often seen in her work.
Who Wears It
Frank Lampard, Kevin Spacey, Susan Sarandon, Bobby Gillespie, Uma Thurman, Kiera Knightly, Rosamund Pike,