After Stilettos started as an idea—a domain purchased a year before I knew exactly what it would become. The concept was there: something for women who spent their days in stilettos and came home ready to kick them off. A place for that moment of relief, where comfort didn't mean compromise.

A fashion school assignment brought it to life. We were asked to build a brand from the ground up, and After Stilettos finally had its structure. Before that, the business was called The Accessory Barn—a different name, a different focus. But After Stilettos felt right. It captured something real: the shift between who we have to be during the day and who we actually are when we come home.

The Accessory Barn launched with sandals—thoughtfully designed footwear for women who wanted something better than what the market offered. But as my own journey deepened through formal training, the focus evolved. Fashion school led to traditional kimono making in Japan, French Couture Jacket construction in Italy, and immersive sewing retreats. The work shifted from selling sandals to exploring what it means to make clothing with intention, precision, and care.