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Regina and Pavone

The follow-up to the season after the Vento, the theme of birds remained but evolved. The Regina and Pavone were designed while Heather was on a trip to Venice and visited St Mark’s Basilica. The gothic styling inspired the mood of the collection. Heather also began to study the Venetian carnival and the masks associated with the different characters. The “Colombina” character usually wears a half-mask adorned with feathers…peacock feathers in particular. Heather used real peacock feathers inlaid into the uppers of this collection.

Trivia: “Regina” means queen in Italian and seemed appropriate for the regal styling. This style sits in the permanent collection of the national shoe museum in Vigevano, Italy.

Trivia: Pavone means peacock in Italian. Blake Lively wore this style throughout the filming of the final season of the ABC series “Gossip Girl”

Vento

Inspired by the beautiful wingspan of the Osprey, one of the birds of prey, the Vento was designed to emulate the beauty and complexity of its wingspan.

Trivia: Vento means “wind” in Italian.

Chiara

Designed while on the same trip to New York as the Gaia, the interlocking triangles of the Chiara are derived from the view of the Flatiron building at 23rd street and Broadway. Literally triangular in shape, the Flatiron Building is a landmark and dividing point that marks the beginning of what is considered to be downtown Manhattan.

Trivia: Chiara is named after a close friend in Milan who is also the Publicity agent for H Williams in Europe.

Gaia

The design of the Gaia was inspired on a return trip to New York City while Heather was living in Milan. Heather passed what had been her first apartment in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan and saw the front of the building covered in elaborate scaffolding. She took a photo of the building and referenced the scaffolding while engineering the complex strapping of the Gaia.

Trivia: Gaia was named after Heather’s friend in Milan who very gratefully also stepped in as her bookkeeper for the European accounts and helped to teach Heather Italian.

Trivia: the design of the collection often happened in two phases that were dictated by Heather’s travel between New York and Milan. The edgier urban models were usually conceived while in New York, and the more feminine patterns while in Italy.

Gracyn

Also based on the Italian mosaic designs, the Gracyn was designed as a feminine update to the traditional Mary Jane. It was a favorite of wedding parties, brides, and editors.

Trivia: Heather wore the Gracyn in her brother’s wedding. The style sold out, so Heather then had to lend her pair to Hillary Duff to wear throughout her role in the ABC television series “Gossip Girl.”

Trivia: The shoe was named after Heather’s niece, Gracyn.

Olivia

Designed as a more formal follow-up to the Rueda, the Brooklyn Bridge was the muse behind the design of the Olivia. It was a true feat of engineering to achieve the perfect fit and maintain the design complexity.

Trivia: Olivia is named after Heather’s niece Olivia who has a personality as unique as the design of the shoe.

Trivia: It took 9 rounds of corrections to perfect the fit of this style

Cantalup

The Cantalup was also inspired by the swooping lines of the Brooklyn Bridge and designed as a closed-toe companion to the Rueda.

Trivia: Blake Lively Wore the style regularly during the filming of the ABC series “Gossip Girl.”

Trivia: “Cantalup” is name after the town Cantalupo in Italy. This is where Heather made her first collection.

Millburn

A play on the ever-classic riding boot, the soft square toe shape and signature zipper details give the boot an unexpected mod twist. The comfort and styling led to several direct requests from models and celebrities.

Trivia: Millburn is named after a part of New Jersey where Heather spent her teenage years. While her hometown, Summit, is next to Millburn, “Summit” became the name of different style in the collection.

Elli

Designed as a spring follow-up to the successful pattern Elise. The woven lattice details were inspired by mosaic designs in a Sicilian churches and the low demi wedge was custom-designed to have a textured mosaic print.

Trivia: “Elli” was named in follow-up to Elise. The lower wedge made the informal title feel appropriate.

“Belle” (pump) “Rimini” (bag)

A more traditional favorite of wedding parties, brides, and those who like a truly feminine shoe, The Belle was a late addition to the fall 2009 collection-added as a companion to the “Rimini” bag. The bow was designed to emulate the creative pleating and handle detailing on the bag.

Trivia: Heather had both pieces made in special colors for her brother’s bride and several friends’ weddings.

Trivia: The bags from the first season were named after Italian cities. Rimini is a coastal city on the Adriatic coast.

Elise

The upper was conceived while Heather lived in Milan and took a trip to Sicily. The woven lattice detailing was inspired by the mosaic designs she photographed while in Sicily. A true collector’s item, the python Elise is part of the permanent collection at the National Shoe Museum of Italy in Vigevano. Only 15 pairs of this style in python went into production.

Trivia: Named after Heather’s Grandmother who enforced the rule “dance or go to bed” at family events…and this feels like the perfect dancing shoe.

Rueda

The style that put H Williams on the map during the launch of the collection in the fall of 2009! The design was conceived after studying the Iconic Brooklyn Bridge. The swooping lines and foot-hugging straps are inspired by the frame and suspension lines of the bridge. Functional hardware and zippers are a signature detail to H Williams and seen throughout the collection every season.

Trivia: Heather named most of her first season’s shoes after relatives and friends: why not immortalize those who support you most? Rueda is the Maiden name of her sister-in-law.

Mercer

Designed with the idea of an elegant dress shoe in mind, but with sportier athletic details for comfort. A cushioned island platform and vents of breathable sport mesh provide some of the comfort and ventilation details that are used in running shoes. The Velcro closure allows for ease getting in and out of the shoe.

Riley

A unique nod to the 90’s, The Riley is a play on the Athletic shoe but incorporates punk lace-up detailing and a thick creeper-like sole. The style was designed specifically to give a unique and different perspective to fashion-athletic footwear because it was all starting to look the same.

Trivia: Riley is named after a family pet.

Trivia: Early in her career, Heather worked as an athletic footwear designer in addition to her work in fashion.

Masters

Designed after researching golf shoes and tailored mens’ footwear, The Masters bridges the divide, crashing the golf club into Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The thick hexagonal heel and functional hardware make this a perfect shoe for urban living.

Trivia: The name Masters comes from the PGA golf tournament played in Augusta, Georgia each year.