Sarah Street of Bronwyn

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your brand?

I am the owner and founder of Bronwyn, a fully self-funded business started in 2021 right in the middle of lockdown. Bronwyn focuses on designing elevated wardrobe essentials to carry the discerning wearer through her busy day-to-day life, with a focus on comfort and aesthetics.

How did your journey start?

I started my footwear design journey about 15 years ago and sort of fell into it through a job opportunity I wasn’t really looking for at the time. I had studied industrial design at university and was working in that field when a client, a footwear business, asked if I’d be keen for an interview for one of their design positions. I jumped at the chance, learnt everything on the job, and have never looked back.

Can you share an interesting aspect of your work? Maybe a part of the product-making process or a unique work ritual you have?

I think the thing about footwear design is that most people don’t realise how complicated the process really is, and the number of considerations you need to make when designing a shoe. It’s a very hands-on process, from sketching to 2D drawings, specifications, pattern creation, fit testing, wear testing, and finally production. Each shoe has between 20–50 different steps in its making, so they’re beautifully complex products.

What are the future plans and goals for you personally, and for your company?

From a brand perspective, we’d love to expand into more stockists across New Zealand and Australia, and partner with an Australian-based online retailer. We want to continue growing our revenue so we can expand our product offering and our team.
Personally, I’d love to spend more time involved in my kids’ school and sports activities, and learn Te Reo Māori.

Can you tell us about the upcoming Spacefor activation? What can customers expect from you, and why did you decide to do it?

We love Spacefor because it’s a beautiful blank canvas that doesn’t need much to elevate the brand. We wanted to explore what a resort-specific pop-up would be like and see how it resonated with our customers, while also testing an Archive Sale in the space over the weekend.

Quick Answers

Currently, my favourite brands are (besides your own):
Harris Tapper, Phoebe Philo, Paris Georgia, Ruby, and small multibrand retailers such as Head Over Heels, Chapman, Paperplane, and Found.

An object or item I can’t live without:
My children (though they’re not objects!), otherwise a sketch pad — or my phone, as tragic as that seems.

My favourite online destination is:
bronwynfootwear.com, of course — otherwise Vogue Runway for the latest fashion shows from around the world.

My favourite place to shop (anywhere in the world) is:
Paris and New Zealand — I love supporting local.

Offline vs Online?
Both. I enjoy a good mix of each.