Georgia on my mind

I was living the Thelma & Louise dream in 2017 when I took a road trip with a girlfriend. Two women, the open road and one car zooming from Colorado to New Mexico. 

While away, I learned more about Georgia O’ Keeffe; an artist who was inspired by the New Mexico landscape. This marvellous artist took the humble flower and made it into a statement of feminine power and strength.

The more I thought about her ability to see an everyday item as something different and special, the more inspired I was to start a business I’d been dreaming of; to make shoes with style and soul for women whose with larger or wider feet.

Inspiration New Mexico style

With vibrant colours, patterns and pure style originality, New Mexico was a hub of creativity, with locals selling everything from vintage Navajo rugs to dream catchers and handcrafted pottery. 

But whether we were driving, staying in motels or dining out on the town, one sensation stayed with me.  Freedom.  I decided that I'd design shoes that would celebrate feet, and not shame them; irrespective of width, shape, size.

As we drove from Taos to Santa Fe, I could feel the stirrings of everything that Sante + Wade now stands for.  Freedom of expression.  The statement that bucks the trend.  The road less-known.

So, in creating our first range, I tried to design the GO’K way:

• Georgia O’Keeffe took the one thing that has been painted a million times over - flowers - and she reinvented it. (Preciselywhat we’ve done with our classic Nneka loafer).

• The wild feel of the American West suddenly felt grounded by Georgia's fresh flowers. That's the kind of balance we were striving got in our Nakia block heel sandals. The classic silhouette would be the flower.  The signature loop trim would be the expression.

• The colours, patterns and textures of New Mexico would be the inspiration for our Mori pump. We threw them all on the canvas of our multi print version.

It’s time to celebrate Georgia O’Keeffe

Georgia O’Keeffe was an artist who lived life on her own terms, paying no attention to trends and in so doing she created a style that has become instantly recognizable around the world.

Her contribution to American modernism goes much further than the flowers for which she is best known.

Never one to allow herself to be pigeon-holed or defined, she let her work speak for itself. 

With Georgia O'Keeffe, every flower was unique.  At Sante + Wade, every woman is.