Women Who Launch: Jennifer Chamandi

I first get a glimpse of her pieces at The Apartment - the stunning Mayfair atelier that acts as part-showroom, part-events space - where Chamandi’s collection of exquisite heels, boots, and flats can be tried and purchased on a by-appointment basis.

The most striking detail of Chamandi’s shoes comes in the form of The Eye of the Needle, a gold-plated teardrop detail that allows wearers to thread a removable strap directly into the heel, delivering both a unique design element and a functionality that has made her brand a favourite of women such as the Princess of Wales, Queen Rania of Jordan, and Taylor Swift, who value heels that transition seamlessly from a night on the town to holding a power stance at a state event.

“The punctured heel follows the curve of the Eye of the Needle, making the heel tilt inward to result in a better distribution of weight and the minimising of stress concentrations in any one part of the surrounding structures. This significantly increases the wearer’s comfort and maximises the strength-to-weight characteristics of the footwear, meaning that women stand taller and feel grounded,” explains Chamandi.

A natural storyteller, there’s a great deal of thinking that goes into every element of her design process. She even learned Italian to ensure that she was effectively communicating her vision with the team of artisans she works with in Parabiago, the Italian town just outside Milan, which is known as one of the country’s luxury shoemaking capitals. When speaking about The Eye of the Needle, she says: “Emblematic of our ethos around innovation, elegance, and creativity, this recognisable DNA is woven through every element of [what we do] and is foundational to the Jennifer Chamandi brand. Inspired by the French term le talon aiguille, meaning ‘needle stiletto’, I sought to redefine this timeless icon of femininity by transforming the heel into an actual needle.”

You're celebrating your 10-year anniversary. Are there any moments from the past decade that have been especially memorable?

So many moments! But what stands out most is realising that what began as a single idea became a living, breathing brand worn and loved by women all over the world. Seeing my shoes on women I admire, opening The Apartment, our bespoke atelier in the heart of Mayfair, and building long-term relationships with my Italian artisans and retailers have all been deeply emotional milestones. But perhaps the most powerful moment is quieter: knowing I didn’t give up when it would have been easier to do so. 

You went through a career pivot from finance to fashion. How did you make this leap, and do you have tips for others considering a similar move?

I didn’t leap, I transitioned with intention. Finance gave me structure, discipline, and commercial clarity; fashion gave me meaning. My advice is not to romanticise the pivot: do the inner work first, understand your ‘why’, and build a strong foundation. Alongside my career in Finance, I was doing short courses in shoe design, so I really prepared myself with knowledge and skill. I left my role in Finance in 2014 and then spent 18 months putting the business together, finding the right suppliers and working on our now patented Eye of the Needle design. Passion is essential, but resilience, preparation, and grit are what sustain you.

What has been the hardest part about being an entrepreneur?

Loneliness in leadership, at the beginning at least. When you are the visionary, the responsibility ultimately sits with you: emotionally, financially, creatively. You learn to trust your intuition deeply and to keep going even when the path feels unclear. You also have to learn to surround yourself with incredible like-minded people who share your vision. You need to learn to delegate, as this is the only way to grow and scale. I learnt that successful founders transition from doing it all to systemising and delegating.

What is the feeling you want your customers to feel when they slip on a pair of your shoes?

Empowered. Grounded. Confident. My shoes are designed to support a woman so she can step into her power without compromise. Our motto from the beginning is that we design for 'Women on a Mission', enabling them, through shoes, to step into their power. Comfort is essential to feeling empowered and I spend a lot of time choosing the right materials and developing our own lasts.

You opened The Apartment not just as a showroom but as a space for connection. What was the thinking behind it?

The Apartment is for private client appointments and bespoke fittings. However, more than that, it is our haven for our community of 'Women on a Mission'. I wanted to create a sanctuary, a place where women could connect, exchange ideas, and feel inspired. The Apartment is about community, energy, and meaningful encounters. It reflects my belief that true luxury today is human connection. We host a lot of intimate events here from Poetry Salons to business roundtables with other entrepreneurs and I love the connection and creativity that happen here. 

What is the one task you always do yourself, and one you always outsource?

I always protect the creative vision and storytelling, that’s non-negotiable. I outsource anything that distracts me from creating, leading, and thinking long-term.

Is there a particular business skill you're currently trying to master?

Scaling with soul. Growing without losing craftsmanship or purpose. It’s a delicate balance, and one I approach consciously every day.

Of all the high-profile women wearing your shoes, who gave you the biggest “pinch-me” moment?

Each one carries meaning, but the moments that move me most are when women tell me how they feel wearing them. That emotional feedback is the most powerful and meaningful.

What’s next for Jennifer Chamandi?

Expansion, thoughtfully and intentionally. Continuing to build a brand that stands for empowerment, craftsmanship, and longevity. I see Jennifer Chamandi as more than a shoe brand; it’s a platform for women stepping into who they are meant to be. This year we will celebrate our tenth anniversary in October, launching beautiful capsules with long-standing retail partners like NET-A-PORTER, Ounass, and Level Shoes plus many other exciting firsts. 

Website: jenniferchamandi.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferchamandi/