ELEANOR PENDLETON LAUNCHES NEW SHOE COLLECTION

“Congratulations on the launch of your shoe collection,” a POPSUGAR journalist said to me during a press interview this week.

Well, that’s a sentence I never thought I’d hear. Yet here I am, having proudly just launched ‘The Renegades‘ – my limited edition five piece capsule collection with Australian e-tailer, Shoes of Prey.

The collaboration came to be some months ago. It began with an email from the the company, which has a start up success story of epic proportions, inviting me to collaborate. Shrieks of excitement between my agent and I confirmed I wasn’t being punked by Ashton Kutcher. Shoes of Prey wanted me to join them on their newest campaign joining the likes of Shoes of Prey co-founder Jodie Fox, Australian illustrator Megan Hess and fashion influencer Kim Jones (who turns out to my spirit sister in more ways than one).

Standing at the media launch event in Sydney this week, it dawned on me how my relationship with Shoes of Prey had ironically come full circle. I had the pleasure of meeting Shoes of Prey’s Jodie Fox in 2009. I was a young 20-year-old beauty editor at FAMOUS magazine and Jodie was an ex-lawyer who threw it all in to launch a shoe brand. She had just launched her company [alongside co-founders with Michael Fox and Michael Knapp] when we met and we gelled instantly.

I remember meeting Jodie and being blown away by the sheer brilliance of the brand. Long before monogramming and customisation was a thing, Shoes of Prey was making waves by allowing customers to create their own designs using an online 3D design tool. Narrow foot (like me)? Wide foot? Leather? Suede? Patent? You’ve got it.

What struck me then and still does now is that Fox’s e-tailer was founded on a customisation business model built on bringing customers new and interesting yet quality and luxurious methods of shopping. They put fun back into shoes. It was pure genius and ahead of its time.

Fast forward seven years and I was travelling to LA to partake in a two day campaign shoot with Jodie, Megan and Kim. On the flight over, it really dawned on me the reality and immense privilege my life and career has afforded me. Honestly, who the f*#% flies to LA to shoot a campaign with three of the most beautiful women on the planet to hero a shoe collection they just designed?

While I try to practice being present, I admit I don’t always take a moment to just stop and be proud. We women need to do this more. I’m one of those people that finds it difficult to accept a compliment or form of praise. In fact, it makes me feel downright awkward and uncomfortable (I know, I know – I’m trying to work on it). But for some reason, on that flight to LA, I stopped. I was proud. I am proud. And, why shouldn’t us women be? For me anyway, my career has moved at lightning pace since I started working at 18 years of age as an intern at Cosmopolitan magazine assisting then-beauty editor, Zoë Foster Blake. At that moment, I quickly realised there have been key women who have shaped me both personally and professionally – lifting me up – and not dragging me down.

With that in mind, I decided to dedicate my collection to them; The Renegades. Each of the five designs is named after a special woman in my life who inspired me, in one way or another, to push the boundaries and go after what I am passionate about. They didn’t conform to conventional wisdom or play by the book; they set their own agendas, paved their own paths and nailed it. My collection is my own personal thank you to these amazing women who have made such a positive impact on me.

And so, it is my greatest pleasure to introduce you to The Renegades.

You can shop the Eleanor Pendleton x Shoes of Prey collection HERE.

[responsive imageid=’21048′ size1=’0′ size2=’641′ size3=’1024′][/responsive]

[responsive imageid=’21000′ size1=’0′ size2=’641′ size3=’1024′][/responsive]

For Zoë Foster Blake.

She’s as intelligent and witty as she is beautiful and kind. An eternal optimist and adventurous traveller, the Zoë flat is created for the woman who faces each day with a spring in her step.

[responsive imageid=’21051′ size1=’0′ size2=’641′ size3=’1024′][/responsive]

[responsive imageid=’21067′ size1=’0′ size2=’641′ size3=’1024′][/responsive]

[responsive imageid=’20997′ size1=’0′ size2=’641′ size3=’1024′][/responsive]

For Lisa Messenger.

An alpha female, the Lisa slingback bridges the balance between style and practicality. Perfect for any occasion, these two-toned shoes are for the woman who loves life, works hard and is destined for success.

[responsive imageid=’21052′ size1=’0′ size2=’641′ size3=’1024′][/responsive]

[responsive imageid=’21063′ size1=’0′ size2=’641′ size3=’1024′][/responsive]

[responsive imageid=’20999′ size1=’0′ size2=’641′ size3=’1024′][/responsive]

For Katherine Moses.

Sophisticated and cool, the Katherine slingback is for both the traditional and modern woman. She’s brainy, bold, determined and always reliable. Get ready to shine in these glossy snake printed leather slingbacks.

[responsive imageid=’21075′ size1=’0′ size2=’641′ size3=’1024′][/responsive]

[responsive imageid=’21062′ size1=’0′ size2=’641′ size3=’1024′][/responsive]

[responsive imageid=’20996′ size1=’0′ size2=’641′ size3=’1024′][/responsive]

For Morgan Tait.

The Morgan pumps are for the fiercely talented female. A true metropolitan personality. Plush black velvet instantly adds a touch of sophisticated glamour to this perennial classic.

[responsive imageid=’21064′ size1=’0′ size2=’641′ size3=’1024′][/responsive]

[responsive imageid=’21066′ size1=’0′ size2=’641′ size3=’1024′][/responsive]

[responsive imageid=’21016′ size1=’0′ size2=’641′ size3=’1024′][/responsive]

For Jodie Fox.

The Jodie ankle boots are for the gracious and dynamic woman.
Crafted from the finest Italian black leather, this is a classic wardrobe staple to have in your life.

[responsive imageid=’21046′ size1=’0′ size2=’641′ size3=’1024′][/responsive]

[responsive imageid=’21059′ size1=’0′ size2=’641′ size3=’1024′][/responsive]

[responsive imageid=’21060′ size1=’0′ size2=’641′ size3=’1024′][/responsive]