On November 1, the Jessi Cruickshank x Poppy Barley “In Her Flats Era” collection debuts, blending Poppy Barley’s signature comfort with Jessi Cruickshank’s effortless style. Featuring two versatile flats designed for every occasion, from playground to party, this collaboration redefines cool, comfortable footwear for the modern woman. —Noa Nichol
What inspired you to collaborate with Poppy Barley for the In Her Flats Era collection, and how did the design process unfold?
I am a longtime fan of Poppy Barley- not just because it is a female-run Canadian business, but because they make the most comfortable, durable, fashionable flats! I recently counted and I own over 25 pairs, so I am clearly a fan of the brand. I was so excited to bring my fun, bold style to their classic, clean cuts and that’s just what we did. I went back and forth with the design team over the course of several months on styles, fabrics, buckles… we crafted every detail together and I could not be happier with the outcome!
You’ve mentioned being in your “flats era” post-kids and post-pandemic. Can you tell us more about how this influenced the design and style of the two shoes in the collection?
Before the pandemic, I loved wearing heels, you would never catch me at a work event or on a night out in a flat. But, the pandemic hit, I had a third child and NO PLACE TO GO. Plus… I had NO TOLERANCE FOR DISCOMFORT anymore. Who does? Especially when the right flat can elevate any outfit.
The two styles I designed are absolutely THE RIGHT FLATS- they can be dressed up or dressed down, they are comfortable and supportive but still totally chic and cool. I LIVE in these flats, just don’t tell my high heels.
The collection features two signature flats: The Daily Loafer and The Studio Mary Jane. What makes these shoes your go-to options for transitioning from “playground to party”?
I am a working mom with 3 young kids- lets be honest, I am more often at the Playground than the Party these days. Selfishly, I wanted to create shoes that could be worn for both!
We wanted to create a collaboration in time for the holidays, but it was important to me that the styles could be worn as effortlessly with ripped jeans, as they could with a party dress.
This past weekend, I wore my blue velvet Mary Jane’s with jeans and a vintage T-shirt to a kid’s birthday party at the park, then I threw on a dress with them to go to a charity event. Quite literally… Playground to PARTY!
As someone who owns over 25 pairs of Poppy Barley shoes, what specific qualities about the brand made you want to partner with them for this collection?
Their shoes are so comfortable and so well made, they really LAST. We live in an era of fast fashion, which is great for fun, trendy pieces, but for shoes I will always be willing to invest in quality. Poppy Barley makes durable, high quality footwear that you can wear all day long. I’ve walked the streets of New York City, the beaches of Cabo, explored cobblestone streets in Europe… all wearing Poppy Barley flats. I mean, most days I’m walking to pre-school drop off and back, which is much less exotic, but hey, I look cute doing it!
Comfort seems to be a key element in this collaboration. How do you balance comfort with the chic, fashion-forward designs you’re known for?
That’s the beauty of this collab- the styles are cool and fashion-forward but they are so comfy you feel like you’re wearing my mom’s orthopedic shoes. No offense to my mom’s orthopedic shoes… they just aren’t patent or velvet or… particularly chic, you know?
The Crinkle Patent leather loafers come soft and worn-in so they look effortless and genuinely feel like slippers. The blue Mary Janes are for the woman who wants to throw on a simple outfit but dress it up with a pop of unexpected color. Both of them are guaranteed to generate compliments everywhere you go!
When I got the first sample of the Studio Mary Jane in blue velvet, I was so excited to try them out, I wore them to school drop off. I got stopped and complemented SO many times by other moms on our way to school, my kids were actually late that day. I thought, “sorry boys, your mom has great taste!” and I knew instantly we had to make them.
What does it mean to you to collaborate with a female-owned, Canadian company like Poppy Barley on a project that combines style and sustainability?
I’m so glad you asked- I am really honored to be working alongside such visionary women and it is my absolute joy to bring attention to the brand. This is an incredibly difficult time for small businesses so I will do anything I can to shout out this brand that I love from the rooftops! And you know I was able to climb all the way to the rooftops, because my Jessi Cruickshank x Poppy Barley flats were THAT comfortable.
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