News & Happenings
Ms. Williams is wearing the Tulip in Black Patent.
For this week's post of In Her Shoes where we will be profiling the stories of real women who wear ANYI LU, we talked with Robin H. Williams. Ms. Williams suffers from a condition called Diabetic Neuropathy which involves damage to the nerve cells in the legs causing difficulty walking. We are honored to share her courageous story.
Would you mind telling us a bit about yourself: what you do, your interests?
My name is Robin H. Williams and I am a 52 year old 5th grade teacher. I have been teaching for 28 years. I am a linguist, as I speak five languages fluently: Portuguese, French, Spanish, Italian and English of course! I sing professionally and have recorded a gospel single CD. I love to write poetry and to entertain others with stories. I belong to several community service organizations and help raise funds for scholarships and worthy programs. I love to travel, read, cook, go to the theatre and movies and entertain guests. Until I was diagnosed with Diabetic Neuropathy, I liked to play tennis and go jogging. I've learned that if you can't run, take up your cane and walk briskly, so this is what I now do!
Would you mind telling us a bit about Diabetic Neuropathy?
I have diabetic neuropathy and it is nerve damage to the nerve cells in my legs. I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes when I had my third child in July of 2006. It was a high risk pregnancy mixed with gestational diabetes and high blood pressure, which left me on bed rest for the duration of my pregnancy. When I finally gave birth, which was an emergency c-section, the doctors noticed that the diabetes did not go away. I was treated and the diabetes was controlled with medication. I later had a B12 deficiency, that combined with the diabetes, and the result was nerve damage in my legs. I woke up one morning and just could not walk. It was very scary, because at my 50th birthday celebration in July 2012, I was dancing all night on high heels, and that October, I woke up and could not walk without holding on to a wall. I went to several neurologists and specialist and specialist, but there was nothing they could do for me. I was not in pain, but I suffered from an imbalance when I walked. It was like constantly walking on an ice skating ring. I did several weeks of physical therapy, but the damage to the nerve cells could not be reversed.
How has this condition affected your life?
The effect of the Diabetic Neuropathy has changed my life considerably, but not my outlook on life. I need a cane to walk, but with exercise I continue to make my legs stronger. It hasn't stopped me from going where I want to go and doing the things that I love to do. Yes, I need to travel with a cane, but I just make it an extension of myself and keep it moving!
You’ve mentioned the Tulip was comfortable for you. What about it worked where other shoes had not?
I've always loved wearing heels, especially with a sexy dress, and I became tired of having to wear flats all the time. I was noticing that the cells in my legs were just not going to repair themselves as fast as I would like, if ever. The specialists and doctors told me I would probably never walk in heels ever again, but I knew I would not let that dissuade me. I figured if I have to walk with a cane, then I would also walk in a pair of shoes that would make me happy. I wanted a special pair of shoes for Mother's Day. I knew I wanted to feel secure, with a sensible heel that would give me some sort of balance when I stood up; would help me feel a grip on the floor; and still be a sexy shoe with some pizzazz. While waiting for my daughter to get her hair done at a salon, my youngest son and I went to Nordstrom to kill some time. I explained what I wanted to the shoe salesman and he said he had just the right kind of shoe for me. He asked if I had ever heard of the designer Anyi Lu and I said no, so he started explaining to me all about her shoes and how she designs them. I tried on a pair and almost cried because I felt VERY secure in them!!! I was able to walk around the carpeted shoe floor without having to hold my cane. However, the most exciting point came when my seven year old son said, "Mommy, you look great in those shoes–daddy would want you to have them for Mother's Day!" It was a "No Brainer" I purchased the shoes and have been delighted ever since. I've received constant compliments on them and plan to purchase a few more pairs, but I will do that in moderation;-)
What would you like people to take away from your experience?
I would like people to recognize that you never have to give up style for comfort. The Tulip shoe is a practical, yet very sexy shoe. The fact that it has no seams makes it very sturdy and it hugs my foot like a glove, which is very necessary for me. The grip, which is built in under the shoe, make skidding impossible, which is also very important to me. I can honestly say I feel more secure in this pair of shoes than I do in my sneakers, but I am still sensible. When I have to walk in a large open area, I still use my cane. However, when I am in a smaller area, I feel confident enough to walk without my cane. Tomorrow I will escort my class to their Moving Up/Graduation Ceremony, it is a long walk from my classroom to the auditorium and I plan to wear my Tulips. Yes, I'll have to use my cane, but I'll walk with grace, style and confidence knowing that shoes will not fail me!!!
If you would like to be considered for our In Her Shoes series or know of a woman you think should be considered, please email Kristen at kristen@anyilu.com.
Ms. Wagner is wearing the Tulip in Black Patent.
For the second post in our blog series In Her Shoes where we will be profiling the stories of real women who wear ANYI LU, we talked with Elena Marrero Wagner. Ms. Wagner works at Nordstrom and is the perfect example of a woman whose work requires her to be stylish while also standing on her feet all day.
You work at Nordstrom, what do you do there?
I am a Beauty Advisor and manage the Lancôme cosmetic counter (which happens to be directly across from our Salon Shoe Department!!)
How does your job make finding shoes that work for you a challenge?
I have to stand on my feet for 8 hours every day on a tile floor and am often walking back and forth through the store for stock or to assist customers. In my former career as a massage therapist, I could wear whatever ugly shoes were the most comfortable, but working at a fashion specialty store, there is an expectation to dress with fashion in mind. I thought flats would be the solution, but they killed my back. I found it nearly impossible to find a fashionable shoe that I could wear for 8 hours without pain. Most of my coworkers wear gorgeous high heels for the first three hours of their shift and then change in to some sad flat shoe with no support for the remainder of their days. That 2-shoe day didn't work for me...and flats just crunched up my toes and sent pain to my back!
You have quite a collection! How did you discover the brand?
One morning a rep from ANYI LU came to our store and told me that her shoes would feel like sneakers–even after eight hours of standing on my feet. While the price tag was higher than I typically spend for shoes, I took her challenge because I would have done anything to save my lower back and feet from the daily pain I was feeling! Plus I thought the shoes were super cute– especially with a little heel–which I desperately need since I am only 5 feet tall!!
What was your first pair?
It was the Tulip. The investment I made in that shoe was THE BEST money I have ever spent! After having so much success with my first pair of Tulips, I quickly decided I needed them in every color because I realized I would probably never wear any other shoe to work!! I decided to try other styles from ANYI LU and had the same comfort experience with them. While I love the trendy style of the Athena, I really love the classic look of the Tulip. The patent leather and strappy open toe style make it so versatile that I can wear it with skirts, dresses or pants and in Florida–it's a shoe I can almost wear year round!! I tried another luxury shoe that was supposed to be very comfortable, but I was immediately disappointed with both the pain in my back and the quality of the shoe. I really don't wear any other shoes to work now unless they say ANYI LU!!!
What would you like people to take away from your experience?
I am so passionate about women having comfortable and fashionable shoes! I get SO many compliments on how cute my ANYI LUs are, and when I start raving about how comfortable they are, most women want me to show them the shoes! I realize they cost more than other shoe brands, but I guarantee, like the rep did from ANYI LU, that the money spent on one pair of versatile ANYI LUs is WELL worth the price when you consider how great you can actually feel at the end of a long day on your feet–with no blisters or back pain!! Every woman that has bought a pair with my recommendation has absolutely loved them, and that makes me love and believe in them even more!!! I never thought ANY shoe could be so cute AND so comfortable...until I had ANYI LU shoes!!!! She is truly my hero!!!!
If you would like to be considered for our In Her Shoes series or know of a woman you think should be considered, please email Kristen at kristen@anyilu.com.
Ms. Klise is wearing the Electra in snow leopard. Photo credit: Joyce McMurtrey.
Welcome to the first post in our new blog series, In Her Shoes, where we will be profiling the stories of real women who wear ANYI LU. We’re honored to feature the children’s book author, Ms. Kate Klise for our debut interview. Ms. Klise is an example of the kind of busy, successful woman who needs shoes that both look and feel great. She's written 30 children's books, including the 43 Old Cemetery Road series, and one adult book, In the Bag. If you would like to read more about Ms. Klise and her work, click here.
You’re a children’s book author. How exciting! Tell us about your work.
I love my job. Isn’t it surprising—and wonderful—that even in this digital age, something as old-fashioned as a story can still satisfy a child?
Why are book tours important for authors?
Here’s the thing about writing: Unless you’re J.K. Rowling or John Green, if you want to make a living as a writer, you have to spend a lot of time on the road, promoting your books in schools, libraries, and bookstores. It’s great to connect with readers, but being on the road can wear you down. I never risk checking luggage, so I’m often living out of a carry-on roller bag for a week at a time.
How do you pack for these trips?
Strategically. Shoes are a big challenge because they take up so much room. But I had an epiphany in 2011. I was traveling a lot that year and getting sick to death of the mishmash of clothes and shoes in my suitcase. So I called Nordstrom and made an appointment with a stylist at the nearest store, which was in Cincinnati. When I arrived, a pair of ANYI LU open-toe slingbacks was waiting for me in the dressing room. I confess I was a bit skeptical of the chunky-heeled, tri-colored shoes, but the stylist told me to try them on with dark jeans and a short, fitted jacket. That’s when I was hooked. Not only did the shoes look great on my feet, they felt unbelievably comfortable. More comfortable, in fact, than the flats I was wearing when I walked in. I bought my first pair of ANYI LU shoes (the Megan) that day and three more pairs since then. They’re my go-to shoes for traveling because I can pack fewer clothes and rely on great shoes to punch up any outfit.
What’s the takeaway lesson?
It’s taken me decades to learn what every European woman knows: Buy fewer things of better quality. I’ve spent a fortune on cheap and moderately priced shoes that I end up leaving in hotel rooms because they hurt my feet. Now that I’ve discovered ANYI LU, I know I can pack one pair of gorgeous shoes and wear them all day, every day, for a week at a time, all the while looking and feeling my best. This is how I put my best foot forward.