Magnificent, exquisitely made shoes have captivated Kendall Reynolds ever since she could walk. The Chicago native has always had an unerring eye and intuitive affinity for superb craftsmanship and timeless design—even before she could articulate these concepts. Today, she is the CEO and Design Director of her namesake luxury brand, Kendall Miles Designs, which she started while still a senior at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. She received her BA in International Relations in 2016. After participating in three collection cycles, Kendall and her team committed to a direct-to-consumer business model that features seasonless, limited-edition drops of luxury footwear. She has recently added Saks Off Fifth as her first retail partner as she scales distribution to reach more “Muses” in her growing community of followers and consumers.

Kendall approaches the craft from an incomparable perspective, viewing her designs as works of art in their own right rather than mere accessories. It’s not necessarily fashion that intrigues her, but rather, the transformation that takes place when a woman slips into a much-longed for and utterly beautiful pair of shoes. She believes a pair of shoes, much more than any other article of clothing, is a form of communication. It represents a woman’s dreams and emotions. And the right pair can be transformative, “lending a woman individuality and changing her character, attitude and bearing as she walks.”

Kendall attended Ars Sutoria, the world-renowned university for shoe and bag design in the center of Milan. While there, she had intensive training in all technical aspects of shoe development, from design to construction. Her training has given her the specific knowledge necessary to combine avant-garde construction methods with time-honored, classic design in her creations for Kendall Miles Designs. She is committed to maintaining true couture standards, and hand sketches all creations herself. Additionally, all of Kendall Miles Designs footwear is handmade in Italy.

At just 29, Kendall is already a standout in the shoe industry, receiving high praise from professionals in the field. Her company has generated significant gross revenues validating a solid corporate foundation.  The future is bright for building a company that will capture significant market share in the luxury fashion accessory category and represent diversity in an industry dominated by European fashion conglomerates.