Pretty British Designed Ballet Pumps That Will Impress Everyone

You could say we’re a little shoe obsessed here at YCB HQ, we’re blaming our teenage obsession with Sex & The City and Carrie Bradshaw for that. Come on though, didn’t Carrie always have the BEST shoes?! Footwear is what makes an outfit, it completes your look and in our opinion should tick three boxes. Stylish, timeless, and comfortable. Lucky for us (and you!) we’ve found a brand that ticks all of the boxes. Feeling like a bit of traditional English? Introducing Taylor Blake.

Founded by creative and self-confessed magpie Emily Blake, a shoe designer with a dream to create a line of beautiful ballet flats to be worn with a range of everyday outfits. Emily has been a footwear designer for 18 years and mum to two adorable children, one boy and one girl, she absolutely love working in shoes.

As we sat down to speak with the British designer over cups of coffee, her face lit up as she told us about a really proud moment last year at the Footwear Awards where she was shortlisted as Designer of the Year! We can only imagine the thrill of achieving this prestigious award doing a job you love, what a fab feeling!

The shoes very much focus on quality and classic styles that are anything but boring. Made in Spain using the finest materials, you’re likely to find emerald green jewels, rose pink suedes, and gold leathers.

Each and every pair of ballerinas are handmade from a family run factory in Spain where the owner personally oversees the production of all the shoes. Synonymous with high quality leather, Taylor Blake feel it is important to support this industry and ensure production is always to the highest standards for customers.

Sound good? We sure think so! We’ve selected a few of our favourite styles to share with you this bare leg season, our lovely readers. Warning, these *may* make you want to reach for your credit card…our bad!

Eastern Coral

We love this pop of coral! It’s no wonder this particular style is a bestseller! Simply perfectly perfect for summer, team with your favourite crisp white dress for the perfect daytime or evening look. The perfect way to to add a touch of colour to your outfit.

Copperhead

Oh darling, you can never go wrong with classic navy, and these ballerinas are an everyday essential! Featuring a contrast gold toe and distinctive bow, these are the perfect shoe for all occasions whether it’s work, drinks with the girls or a day spent in the city.

Vine

Currently coveting a ballerina with a little extra somethin’ we’ve found what you’re looking for. The Vine design features a beautiful shimmering, emerald green jewel and faux snake detailing. Ideal for your next garden party or family event, these are sure to spark up a conversation.

Abaco

Part of the ‘Botany’ collection, the Abaco style features a striking fuchsia pink mosaic design. Inspired by travels to Marrakech, this is a truly unique shoe and very worthy of making it into your summer wardrobe! We’re just having a hard time choosing between pink or blue! Both? Ok if we must…

Harlequin

A classic British black ballerina style that’s ideal for the office, practical yet pretty. Dash around the city in style and comfort with these beautiful flats. We just love the snake detailing and embossed leather design, a must-have!

Shop the full range of beautiful ballerinas at www.lovetaylorblake.com happy shopping!

 An IN-terview with Taylor Blake by Georgia Walkden 

Meet your feet’s new best friend, Taylor Blake!

With 18 years of experience behind her it’s clear to see that Emily Blake knows what she’s doing when it comes to footwear design.

After trading from the Far East and experiencing first-hand the frantic life, Emily was keen to work closer to home with smaller European family inherited factories. This transition meant she could work with beautiful materials and provide high quality workmanship to create something special. With this vision in mind Taylor Blake was launched in June 2015.

As a fairly new business Taylor Blake, like many others, have had some challenges along the way. Emily explained these to us: “It is incredibly difficult to work against the high street and the huge marketing budgets that they have in place. It is a constant worry, but I have refused to cut corners on quality as I truly want to create a product that I am proud of, and that my customers will absolutely love!”

However, Emily’s hard work has clearly paid off for her. Last year she reached the finals for Designer of the Year at the Footwear Awards. Emily said: “It was a great honour just to be nominated as I was in a category against some well established large brands. To reach the final five was an incredible achievement for myself.”

While being nominated for awards, Emily is also incredibly proud of the work she produces and how her shoes make her customers feel. “I love making people love their feet! It’s simple – I love that my shoes brighten up someone’s day. I hear from my customers all the time when they post on social media or write on my website reviews, I have yet to receive below 5 stars! That really is the best part of my job!”

When looking back Emily explains that there is one thing in particular that she would tell her younger self. “Be prepared to learn absolutely everything you can. Sponge up as much information as you can! My day to day job varies so much. Because I work for myself and by myself, my job is as diverse as designing shoes; working on marketing campaigns; talking to press and bloggers; packing and posting shoes and stock checking. Every single aspect of the company is my responsibility and whilst sometimes it can be overwhelming I’m amazed at how quickly I have learnt and am still learning new skills.”

The future is very bright for Taylor Blake as Emily works on a new range for Spring/Summer 2019. As the brand is still in its early years they still have some introducing to do to new consumers both locally and throughout Europe.

With original designs and great attention to detail we’re sure there will be many more women dressing their feet with Taylor Blake

For this week’s Friday Feature I’m absolutely delighted to introduce my good friend - with the best smile on the planet - Emily Blake. I met Emily when I lived in Lancashire and we worked together designing shoes - I did ladies and Em did the kids collections. 
She’s gone on to set up her own label and collection of gorgeous shoes called Taylor Blake

Job title

Footwear Designer, Founder and general dogs body of footwear brand Taylor Blake Ltd.

How did you get into what you do?


“I have been a footwear designer for 18 years and am a mum to two fabulous children, a boy and girl and I absolutely love working in shoes. I took a career break after having the children as flying off to the Far East to source materials just didn’t really work with two under 4’s at home!  So, I gave up my job to look after my family for a few years. 
I still had the ideas, the passion and the drive for designing shoes but I wanted to change my direction.  Throughout my career I have always worked on a large scale. Big shoe orders, from big companies, with big factories, churning thousands of pairs of shoes out to far flung corners of the world. Boxes heading to the high streets of Britain and cartons departing for supermarkets. And I loved it. The travel and the many fabulous people I worked with far and wide. But.... I always knew that one day I'd work closer to home on a project that for me would be a little more special, something that would feel a little more personal. I knew that one day I would work with smaller European family inherited factories. Within a less frantic environment, where beautiful materials and high quality workmanship combine to create something a bit special.”

What are the day to day activities of your work?

“Day to day my job varies so much! Because I work for myself and by myself, my job is as diverse as designing shoes, working on marketing campaigns, talking to press and bloggers, packing and posting shoes, learning (very slowly) accountancy, stock checking… Every single aspect of the company is my responsibility and whilst sometimes it can be overwhelming I’m amazed at how quickly I have learnt and am still learning new skills!”

What’s the best part of you job?


“Making people love their feet!  Its simple – I love that my shoes brighten up someone’s day.  I hear from my customers all the time when they post on social media or write on my website reviews – I have yet to receive below 5*’s!  That really is the best part of my job!”

How do you get your inspiration?

“My inspiration mainly just pops out of my own head! There is no particular source, I see things I love all the time and my mind is a constant jumble of creative thoughts! I design shoes that I love!  Shoes I believe people would love to see on their feet rather than following a particular trend.”

What are you currently working on?

“Currently I am working on a new range for Spring Summer 2019.  As Taylor Blake is still a new brand I believe the product we have has still a lot of introducing to do to new consumers.  In particular I am working within Europe as Taylor Blake continues to expand.”