Podcast: Alana Oates of Llani Shoes
Before I ever met Alana Oates, I was dazzled by her shoe collection: Llani Shoes. Some of my favorites from her collection are delicately embroidered slip-ons or shearling and cheetah haircalf moccasins that look so comfortable. Meeting her was also an absolute delight. Before launching her own line, Alana worked for some big brands where she learned how to design, how to work with vendors and how to create something her customers would love. She launched Llani with a Kickstarter and then grew the brand from there. It was great to hear how she figured it out and how much she values the relationship she has created with the craftsmen and women who create her shoes.