Showcase: IA Footwear

DESIGNED IN ATLANTA

Great footwear is rarely born on a mood board. It starts in the studio, through months of prototyping, material testing, and quiet dialogue. When we set out to build our latest capsule, co-founders Anthony and Sara partnered with Atlanta-based footwear designer Andrew Yi—whose technical background spans features in Vogue Runway and collaborations with Saucony. Together, we wanted to build something grounded and deliberate: a women's 50mm heel and a men's 25mm mule designed entirely in Atlanta. Engineered for the modern wardrobe, this limited release translates architectural rigor into everyday luxury.

A YEAR OF REFINEMENT

The collection is the result of an intensive twelve-month loop of testing, breaking down, and rebuilding in the studio, where every decision was filtered through three distinct pillars.

It began with the product, stripping away unnecessary weight to reveal pure form and raw materiality. From there, the focus shifted to placement, mapping out how the pieces inhabit physical spaces and move effortlessly from the routine of daily wear to the polished atmosphere of an evening out. Finally, every detail was held to a strict standard of purpose, ensuring every seam, cut, and angle solves a structural need rather than serving as mere decoration. Doing this work locally in Atlanta gave the team the freedom to stay entirely hands-on through every single prototype.

“What I enjoyed most about both projects was finding the balance between visual intent, materials, construction, and wearability.” — Andrew Yi

LEATHER MEETS ENGINEERED MESH

Rendered exclusively in our signature carbon black, the technical narrative relies on a deliberate contrast of full-grain leather and structural mesh. Full-grain leather provides tactile richness, containment, and lasting durability, while engineered mesh panels introduce breathability and a sharp industrial edge.

- Women’s 50mm Heel: Designed with an exact 50mm pitch, this silhouette offers a commanding stance without compromising stability. The clean upper frames the foot with minimalist precision, transitioning seamlessly from structured daywear to evening tailored looks.

“The 50mm heel was my first venture into women’s footwear and a big departure from my background in performance and technical sneakers. I worked closely with Imperia to achieve the right shape and proportions... the minimal, low-profile design created an interesting challenge: preserving the low-profile silhouette while still creating enough structure and fit for the shoe to comfortably stay on the foot.” — Andrew Yi

- Men’s 25mm Mule: Built on a grounded 25mm foundation, this piece redefines modern men's footwear. It offers subtle elevation and a stark profile that grounds everyday style and pairs naturally with wide-leg trousers or evening attire.

“I wanted the design to take advantage of the unique properties of each material. The mesh provides functional ventilation, while the layered leather adds structure, durability, and a luxury feel. The cork footbed brings comfort underfoot and a more personalized fit as it molds to the wearer’s foot over time.” — Andrew Yi

EXCLUSIVE ACCESS

True luxury whispers before it speaks. By dissolving the line between technical design and everyday dressing, we set out to craft pieces built to anchor an active life.

The IA footwear capsule functions as a wearable anchor, versatile enough for daily movement yet precise enough for an occasional elegant night out. These silhouettes offer a quiet confidence bridging form and function.

Experience the limited capsule online and at selected stockists now.