Products are independently selected by our editors.
We may earn an affiliate commission from links.
Spanx founderSara Blakelyknows better than anybody that, oftentimes, innovation is borne out of frustration.
Photographed by Marcus Mam, Best Dressed 2012
Now, Blakely is tackling her next point of frustration: stilettos.
Clearly, this is not on anyones agenda.
Today, Sara Blakely launchesSneex, a luxury hybrid stiletto which retails between $395 and $595.
The author in Sneex.
Originally, Blakely wanted to design a comfortable stiletto that looked, well, like a stiletto.
I was really interested in being disruptive, she says.
The construction of a heel hasnt changed much in a really long time.
Balenciaga fall 2012
I find that interesting.
The author in Sneex.
Blakely has always been her own bellwether.
Bottega Veneta spring 2022
I own stilettos and I own sneakers already, but I dont own the combination of the two.
As a consumer I wanted the combination of the two, she says.
For her, the shoe is the intermediary between dressy and casual.
Miu Miu spring 2021
(She cites Sneex as ideal for the classic jeans-and-a-nice-top outfit formula.)
I imagine a lot of brides wearing the white pair.
Shes already asked women that she knows to test drive the shoes.
Bella Hadid in Ancuta Sarca
That doesnt mean that shes abandoned her original plan though.
I totally will create a comfortable traditional looking heel, she says.
But I also like giving women and consumers something that doesnt already exist.
Sneex “The Tepper” in Varsity green, $595
The luxury sneaker heel does already exist, though.
Isabel Marants sneaker wedges dominated the 2010s, but Prada andDSquared2have also given them a go.
This is a very different kind of design.
Sneex “The Tepper” in white, $595
This has real intense innovation built into the shoe.
And then Ive had several women actually cry.
I have footage of them crying.
Sneex “The Blake” in blue and burgundy, $545
I decided to road-test a pair of Sneex for myself.
I didnt like sneaker heels when they were popular in the 2010s, and I dont like them now.
For the record, I am quite particular about heels, thanks in part to my own anatomy.
Sneex “The Blake” in black and white, $545
I have extremely high arches and long toes that often get smushed in close-toed shoes.
I usually wear a size 7.5, so I tried both a 7 and an 8.
In an 8, I found myself sliding around in the shoe and wobbling in the heel.
To feel more secure, I tightened my Velcro strap to the point of numbness in my feet.
Another common reaction, which took Blakely by surprise, was the commentary from men.
She reports reactions ranging from Thats the coolest shoe Ive ever seen to What is that?
The men are very emotional about this shoe.
The reaction online has been different, however.
This is too literal.
My mom would love these.
Maybe shes the target market, another added.
Some people were very excited about the product, writing Hell yeah!
I am all for this!!
and These look super cool.
Others, meanwhile, were not as enthused.
Do they hate us?
How did this idea get approved?
Did she just laugh at my shoes?
She laughed, Maddie confirmed.
That said, they were a conversation-starter among a different demographic.
As Maddie waited for our drinks at the bar, I sat down next to an older man.
Those are some shoes!
The Isabel Marant sneaker wedges retail for $745-$770.)
