Luxury footwear brand Elizée began with a simple need for busy CEO Erika Carrero: high-fashion heels that were comfortable too. As a businesswoman, Carrero was always on the go, spending her days going from the boardroom to social events in heels that left her in pain at night. Realizing there was nothing on the market in the shoe space that filled her need for style and comfort, she set out to create her own footwear brand. With careful research, trusted experts and time spent studying design in Milan, Elizée is changing the landscape and proving that women don’t have to suffer for fashion. A celebrity favorite, Elizée is seen everywhere from the red carpet to the business boardroom. Carrero has created fashionable footprints for the heel-loving crowd and Beauty News NYC was lucky enough to chat with her about the brand, business, and her love of high heels.
The story of Elizée really is a story of filling a need and solving a problem. You were a busy CEO always on the go looking for a comfortable and stylish pair of shoes – and they simply didn’t exist. Can you walk us through the journey from high-level tech executive to high heels?
Absolutely, my love for fashion, especially shoes, has always been a big part of who I am. Transitioning from tech to launching Elizée took time and a lot of learning. It wasn’t quick. I spent years understanding the fashion world, finding the right team to complement my business knowledge, and trying to create something truly special. I was fortunate to have conversations and receive guidance from experts at some of the most renowned fashion houses. Their insights were invaluable, and it always came back to the importance of a standout product.
Working in the tech industry, with all its travel and non-stop pace, really showed me there was something missing in the market: the lack of shoes that were both stylish and comfortable for the hectic life of a professional. That’s where the idea for Elizée came from. I spent years researching and planning, turning what started as a hobby into a solid plan for a business. When the opportunity came after selling my last company, I finally had the chance to make Elizée a reality. It’s been a journey with ups and downs, but it’s been incredibly rewarding.
It’s one thing to realize there’s a bridge to gap. It’s another to actually do the work to bridge that gap. How daunting was it to jump into footwear design having no previous experience in this realm? Did you ever have any doubts?
Jumping into footwear was a whole new world for me, but my lifelong love for shoes made it an exciting challenge. It was really interesting; the first footwear class I took was with a cohort of designers and technical shoemakers. It surprised me how much I already knew about the process. I was able to keep up with the class and ask relevant questions, which was a huge confidence booster. I learned from the ground up, everything about shoe design and manufacturing. This journey included attending classes at the Stanford Design School, which helped me to think creatively. Going into the world of shoe design felt overwhelming at times, but I had a great support team, including my family, that kept me grounded and focused.
Deciding to leave a very stable job in tech to pursue this new path meant introducing a new side of myself to my network and stepping into a different industry- that part of the process felt daunting – what are my business peers going to think? Are they going to like the designs? And so on. This move was a significant change. Building relationships with the right partners, who shared my vision and brought their expertise to the table, was key. It felt like putting together a puzzle, where each piece was a new lesson or discovery. Yes, there were moments of doubt, but the excitement of creating something new and necessary kept me motivated.
These heels, I can tell you from personal experience, really do stand behind what you promise: they are comfortable! This was very important to you, and I know there’s great work that goes behind this. Can you tell us about the technology and innovation that sets Elizée apart?
It makes me so happy that you love our shoes! Creating shoes that are comfortable and live up to their promise has been my main focus. I am a bit of a perfectionist which luckily led me to work with top Italian shoemakers and podiatrists to develop an insole that tackles the usual discomforts of wearing high heels.
At the heart of Elizée’s uniqueness is our Plush Contour Insole. This breakthrough came from a year of collaboration with podiatrists and our talented Italian craftsmen. It’s built with a three-layer approach: a foundation of high-density memory foam for absorbing shock, a layer of responsive memory gel that shapes itself to your foot, and the entire insole is contoured to provide stability and support. This thoughtful design makes sure that every step is cushioned, stable, and comfortable.
Our focus on comfort doesn’t stop at the insole. Our shoes blend elegance and practicality beautifully. We carefully design our shoes to avoid seams in sensitive areas to prevent any discomfort, and our straps can be adjusted for a perfect fit. Stability platforms are included in most of our styles, helping to reduce the heel’s height and make them even more comfortable to wear.
Crafted with the finest Italian leather and meticulous attention to detail in patterns and construction, we marry style with functionality. It’s our belief that shoes can be both beautiful and comfortable. The adjustable straps aren’t just for looks; they securely hold your foot in place, and the stability platforms not only look good but also contribute to the shoe’s comfort. I am on a mission to prove that style and wearability can go together.
Elizée heels have gotten rave reviews from fashion experts, stylists and celebrities who rely on your heels for events when comfort and style are a must. What has this response been like?
Receiving such positive feedback about Elizée means so much to me and to our whole team. It’s truly validating to see our styles resonate with people in the fashion world—stylists, celebrities, and insiders. It makes all the hard work and the risks we’ve taken feel worthwhile.
Running a business is full of challenges, and there are definitely days when things don’t go as planned, And then so happens that I get a message from someone who’s just worn their Elizées and shares how much she loves them, that energizes me to keep moving forward. I have a favorite story about a woman that hadn’t worn heels in more than 10 years, mostly because she thought her ankles were too wide and shoes were unstable on her. She came to our showroom and tried on a style that is designed with ankle laces – precisely because we wanted to make sure it would fit every woman’s beautiful legs. She tried on the shoes, and she started dancing and jumping in the heels. She hugged me and thanked me for helping her feel sexy and beautiful again. And now she has every style from our collection!
When you first set out to create the brand and redefine the standard for fashion/function, did you ever expect Elizée to be where it is today?
When I started Elizée, I never imagined it would become as successful as it is today. I’m deeply thankful for my team, our loyal customers, and the editors who decided to give our brand a chance. Despite beginning with a strong product, entering and making an impact in such a competitive industry was a huge challenge. Every year has brought its own set of challenges, from dealing with market pressures to navigating through a pandemic and economic uncertainties. Yet, through all this, we’ve continued to grow.
I initially hoped to create a brand where women could find shoes that were comfortable all day long, without sacrificing style. Seeing where Elizée is now, I’m amazed at how much we’ve achieved that goal. We’ve definitely faced unexpected challenges and learned a lot along the way, but the heart of Elizée—the vision I had from the start—remains intact. We keep striving to innovate and grow, always staying true to the initial dream that sparked the creation of Elizée.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? And, conversely, what’s the most challenging part?
The most rewarding part of my job is definitely seeing our shoes on women’s feet and hearing their feedback about how beautiful and comfortable the shoes are and how great she feels. There’s also something incredibly fulfilling about the design and creative process—selecting leathers, choosing materials, and collaborating with my team in Italy. It’s a joy that hardly feels like work at all!
On the flip side, navigating the ever-changing market is a significant challenge. Predicting demand can be tricky, especially with supply chain issues and the rising costs of raw materials. These factors make the business landscape unpredictable for independent brands like ours. Thankfully, we’ve built a strong relationship with one of Italy’s oldest heritage factories, which collaborates with us closely on production quantities and delivery times. This partnership helps us manage small production runs and quick turnaround times on reorders, enabling us to adapt to market demands without overproducing.
Another challenge comes from the competitive discounting strategies by well-known designer brands and retailers. While we do offer occasional discounts on select styles, our products are priced to reflect their quality and craftsmanship, meaning we don’t incorporate large margins for heavy discounting. This approach requires a delicate balance but ensures our commitment to quality and fair pricing.
Do you have a favorite style? It’s Ok if you cannot choose just one.
Bella is a style I really love. It’s so versatile and has this unique look with embroidery panels that add a bit of an edge. You can dress her up or down, and it works with any outfit, from jeans to dresses. I’m excited because we’re introducing Bella in new colors soon.
Deia is our bestseller when it comes to booties. She is designed with a stiletto heel, but trust me, it’s built for much more than just looking good. I’ve spent an entire night dancing away at a Latin party in these booties, and they stood up to the salsa and merengue tunes.
And then there’s Fiorella, named after my high school best friend who loves her platform heels. Wearing Fiorella to a winery event, with hilly roads leading from one part of the venue to the next, felt like I had four-wheel drive on my feet. While everyone else ended their day carrying their shoes, I wore mine comfortably throughout the evening without a single issue.
What would you like to see for the future of the brand? What are some goals?
The sky’s the limit! We’re focused on growing points of sale, particularly in-person retail partnerships, as we’ve seen how effortlessly our shoes sell when women feel the quality and comfort. In terms of product development, we’re always looking to push the envelope with comfort and we’re currently developing a flat with unique comfort features that will set it apart from anything else on the market. We’re constantly exploring how to enhance comfort and diving into research for the next wave of insole technology. This same innovative insole technology will also be featured in our low heel booties, and low heels block sandals offering unique comfort.
Our approach is to listen to our customers and design based on their specific needs. Their feedback directly shapes our approach, allowing us to tailor our designs to meet their specific needs. The low heel booties come from that feedback, will be super comfortable 50-mm booties that I believe will become our best new sellers for Fall 24.
What’s one lesson you’ve learned throughout it all so far?
A career is something you shape and that continues to evolve throughout your life; there is no one right/unique path for everybody. If you have a project that you are passionate about, get started, get educated, and go for it! You never stop learning.