LIMEDROP INTERVIEW: Annie Habbot June 26 2014

Today Limedrop had the pleasure of speaking with the energetic founder and designer of Habbot shoes Q&A with Annie Habbot. Who you are? What do you do/ believe in? I run a women’s shoe company called ‘habbot’ out of my Armadale studio which is situated behind one of my 2 stores. My favourite part of my business is definitely pulling each shoe collection together starting with research and colour choices in my Melbourne office, right through to the production phase that takes place in two workrooms in Italy. I work across all aspects of the business which means I never get as much design time as I’d like, but as the business grows I’m handing over some of the operational aspects to others which is strange, but wonderful! I believe in brave colour choices! What are your top two tips for choosing great quality shoes? 1. If you see a shoe that jumps out from the store shelf and ‘talks’ to you then buy it immediately. If you love the colour and shape you will find ways to work it into your wardrobe and life is too short for boring shoes! 2. You can’t fake good shoes. The devil is in the detail with shoe making so look out for neat seams, hand pin punching, precise edge treatments, symmetry, and balance. 3.  Check that the lining is good quality leather – your feet are surrounded by it all day long and will let you know if you’ve got it wrong! 4. Check the balance of the shoe on the side. If the heel and ball don’t both sit flat on the shelf then the balance is off and won’t wear well. I see this so often in shoes stores it amazes me. What is something that you never thought would be possible that is now possible? To see complete strangers in the street wearing my shoes. I still want to go up and hug them!

Check out Annie Habbot's Website at: http://www.habbotstudios.com/new/index.html