British shoe designer, Jane Winkworth is known by the fashion press as ‘Queen of Ballet Flats’ and is the founder of French Sole, home of the original, own-brand, designer Ballet Flats.
Charlotte-Anne Fidler,
Creative and Fashion Director.
I was spending the summer at my villa in Portugal with my children and their friends that August. The day started as usual, pretty late as we had all been out the previous night. Brunch was over by mid-day and as began our day of wandering down to the beach or settling down by the pool. That was until someone turned the television on and the holiday turned into sorrow, shock and sadness.
Following the launch of my new Heels Collection I am looking forward to celebrating yet another amazing milestone - French Sole is nearing it's thirtieth year!
Yes, it's official - I have designed my first ever collection of mid-height (2.5"), super cool, traditional court shoes for genuine 24/7 wearability.
French Sole first began life in the 1960’s when shoe designer Jane Winkworth was a teenager and holidaying in the South of France. As a life-long devotee of everything “ballet” Jane adored wearing ballet flats. After stumbling upon a tiny store in St Tropez which sold a range of brightly coloured ballet flats, she bought several pairs. She decided there and then that one day she would design and sell her own range of ballet flats for everyday wear - and so the story begins.