Michael Shannon Shoes was born out of a passion for style, quality craftsmanship, and making women feel confident and empowered. Our founder and chief designer Michael Shannon has been in the shoe industry for over 20 years, gaining invaluable experience working for high-end brands before deciding to launch his own footwear label.
The Michael Shannon brand launched in 2018 with a small collection of fashionable yet wearable women’s boots, sandals and heels. We’ve since grown into a globally recognized name in women’s shoes, carried by over 500 retailers worldwide and counting. But our commitment to our core values remains unchanged.
Our Story
Growing up in a small town in Ohio, Michael was always fascinated by his mother’s glamorous heels. He would constantly beg to try on her shoes, clopping around the house in styles far too big for his tiny feet. His passion for fashion and footwear had sparked early.
After high school, Michael moved to New York City to study fashion design. He landed coveted internships at Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors while still in school, learning the ins and outs of the fashion industry.
Upon graduating, Michael was hired as a shoe designer for a prominent footwear brand. Over the next 15 years, he honed his craft and cultivated an impressive rolodex of footwear factories, material suppliers and industry connections.
By 2018, Michael felt ready to make his lifelong dream a reality. He left his secure job and poured his life savings into launching his own shoe label – Michael Shannon.
The debut collection of 11 styles encapsulated Michael’s design aesthetic – feminine, sexy, modern and practical. Raving reviews came pouring in, with customers falling in love with the brand’s focus on quality, comfort and accessible luxury.
In just a few short years, Michael Shannon Shoes has become a favorite among fashionistas and celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce and more. While the growth has been tremendous, our dedication to our customers remains at the heart of everything we do.
Our Design Philosophy
Michael Shannon’s design philosophy is simple – create beautiful, comfortable shoes that make women feel confident, empowered and ready to take on the world in style.
Michael pours passion into every design, expertly balancing beauty, quality, fit and function. He sketches every style himself, obsessing over every curve, angle and detail.
Comfort is paramount. All Michael Shannon shoes feature padded insoles, flexible materials and sturdy yet walkable heels. We want women to look AND feel amazing in our shoes, whether they’re running to a meeting or dancing all night.
Quality craftsmanship is essential. Every material and component is carefully selected and tested for durability. Our shoes are produced in small batches in top-tier factories, under Michael’s watchful eye.
While trends come and go, a focus on timeless, feminine silhouettes in wearable heel heights gives our shoes longevity season after season. Core styles like our signature Olivia pump or Frankie sandal can be found in closets worldwide.
Above all, Michael designs shoes to make women feel sexy, confident and empowered. We believe the right shoes can uplift a woman’s mood and transform her whole outlook for the day.
Our Commitment to Customers
Since day one, Michael Shannon Shoes has put our customers at the center of everything we do. Their satisfaction, loyalty and happiness are our top priority.
We build direct relationships with our customers through social media, surveys, focus groups and old-fashioned conversations. Michael himself responds to hundreds of Instagram DMs and emails weekly from shoppers seeking guidance on sizing, styling or simply showing off their latest purchase. This direct feedback allows us to consistently improve while staying connected.
Our customer service team goes above and beyond to ensure every customer has an amazing experience with Michael Shannon Shoes. We provide free exchanges and returns, speedy responses to inquiries, and a level of service that builds lasting relationships.
We take pride in going the extra mile for our customers. For example, when a bride reached out in a panic after her custom wedding heels weren’t delivered on time, we had a new pair specially rushed to her hotel so she had them for her walk down the aisle. We aim to create a feeling of community and care.
Our Factor Partners
Producing high-quality shoes requires strong partnerships with ethical, specialized factories. Michael Shannon works exclusively with factories rated highly for worker treatment, quality control, and production capabilities.
80% of our shoes are handcrafted in two small, family-owned workshops in Spain. Generations of shoemaking expertise produce flawless results. The remaining 20% of production takes place in a factory in Brazil.
We visit each factory regularly, keeping a hands-on approach even as our business scales globally. Maintaining these close relationships ensures our exacting standards are met in each pair of shoes.
We also partner with select tanneries and material suppliers to source leather, hardware, soles and components. Choosing suppliers focused on environmental practices and sustainability allows us to produce shoes we are proud of.
Our Core Values
Quality
Our shoes are designed and constructed to the highest standards to last season after season. From Italian leather to sturdy stacked heels, we don’t cut corners.
Craftsmanship
Expert shoemakers trained for decades produce our shoes by hand with care and precision. Their skills shine through in every stitch.
Comfort
Padded insoles, flexible soles and walkable heels prioritize comfort without sacrificing style. We want feet to feel as good as our shoes look.
Design
From sketch to sample, our founder Michael Shannon obsesses over every curve, angle and detail of every style. Unique designs that stand the test of time.
Customer Service
We treat every customer like family, going above and beyond to ensure complete satisfaction. Your happiness means everything.
Ethics
We partner exclusively with factories rated highly for worker safety and treatment. We work to reduce our environmental impact.
Community
Fostering a feeling of community between our brand, customers and broader networks is key. We support and uplift each other.
Michael Shannon Shoes remains committed to upholding our core values while continuing to bring women globally joy, confidence and style with every step. Here’s to the next 20 years!
