you went to school for fashion design. some say career paths are like a jungle gym, not a ladder, meaning they allow breathing room for twists and turns. did you experience any non-linear moves in your path to where you are now as the founder of your own brand, or was it always connected?  

in my fashion design school, we were actually always focused on apparel design. so my thesis was a collection of 5 head to toe looks i created (pattern making, sewing, even hand dying the fabrics). i somehow knew that once school was over i never wanted to sew another stitch. it wasn’t until i was at my first internship in my senior year that i was exposed to shoes and accessories. once i started getting acquainted with leather (vs. fabrics) and shoe construction, i never wanted to look back.

the concept for llani came from a life changing trip to india. where do you source inspiration now, and how do you keep track of your inspirations and organize your ideas?

i rely heavily on the creativity of my vendors and partners in india. they are really the experts when it comes to embellishments, and i draw so much inspiration for that. i can mock up a motif, color scheme, and materials- any they will knock it out of the park when they bring it to life. to see something woven or embroidered by hand is just so authentically beautiful. for inspiration, i’m constantly looking at travel blogs and home interior books. i have a love affair with vintage and antique spaces and decor. i can always envision my shoes having a home in a beautifully decorated room.

how did you know that comfortable, versatile shoes were where you wanted to specialize?

i’m a heels girl myself, but i think the trend is just shifting. women are choosing to be comfortable in their everyday ensembles. there is a versatility in fashion now more than before. i’m constantly inspired and encouraged by women who are carving out a path for themselves in the working world. choosing to start their own businesses so that their schedules can belong to them to spend time with family, travel more, or be at home. i think that is setting the trend for our work force of the future. to partner with that, why shouldn’t we feel just as glamourous and empowered on our couch as we do in a boardroom.

what thrills you the most and concerns you the most in the first year of running your own business?

what thrills me the most is that the doors are now wide open. we live in such an incredible time of creative collaboration and partnerships. when i see brands now that i love and admire, it’s less ‘how can i afford that dress’ and more ‘how can i collaborate with that brand’. what concerns me the most is keeping my customers happy. as much as i love shoes, i have to admit, feet are the hardest part on a body to fit! i want everyone to turn to llani again and again when treating themselves or their loved ones to a special gift.

what is your daily routine on weekdays versus weekends?

since i work out of a home office, it’s a bit of a blurred line between weekends and workdays. as a rule, i try to reserve weekends for time with my husband, family, and friends. we are often out of town on the weekends, making trips to the beach, out to the country, or a mini road trip. if we are home, then we try to tackle a home restoration project. i always reserve some time time for self-care too, like an extra long bath or face mask. on weekends i live in my tasseled mocs. 

what are some non-fashion things about you that not many people know?

i’m a pretty great cook and i generally don’t follow recipes.  i gain tons of energy from socializing and i really enjoy playing hostess and throwing parties or big feasts at our home. i love being outside, the beach, walking in the woods (aka hiking but i never call it hiking because i feel like a poser). i took acting classes through my whole childhood and i wanted to be an actor.