Just because summer is here, it doesn't mean you need to put those boots away until the fall. We're all for breaking fashion rules, and pairing boots with summer frocks extends your warm weather wardrobe into unexpected and fun territory. And with most of our Fall boots on sale, it's another reason to try this new trend.

Shop all boots here.

Look 1: the Cynthia 

A short flirty boot looks great with shorts, even cut-offs. Walk that line of casual cool with cut-offs, a silk tank and accessories like a scarf and hat to finish the look.  (shorts from TopShop, tank from Joie, hat from Goorin Bros, scarf from MadeWell).

Shop the Cynthia here.

Look 2: the Fiona

A high wedge boot makes a great statement when paired with a miniskirt and cropped jacket. In this look, we've picked up the gold details in the boot with the metal detailing in the clothes and jewelry.  (jacket from Miss Sixty, t-shirt from Everlane, skirt from Pim + Larkin, necklace is vintage)

 Shop the Fiona here.

Look 3: the Adrian

Go for a modern ensemble by pairing motorcycle boots with a romper. With this look, we the metallic sheen of the boots and gold pop from the necklace break up the black and white. (romper, sweater, necklace all from Madewell, hat from Biltmore)

Shop the Adrian here.

Announcing the new Signature Collection–the world first comfortable 4-inch high heels. The waitlist is now open! By adding yourself to the list, you'll be able to shop the new Signature collection a day before anyone else giving you first pick at styles and colors. There will be two styles in the collection, the Camille in black patent and the Angel in both black nappa and gold pitone. 

Click here to join the list: http://anyilu.com/waitlist

We've just completed the shoot for our Fall 2015 season and new Signature line! Our photographer Holly Stewart captured our fabulous model, Luba Vitti looking amazing in everything from tall boots to new oxfords at Holly's gorgeous bayside studio in Sausalito, CA. Dawn Sutti did an amazing job with her makeup and hair as always. It was the first photoshoot that was all ladies, including 7 month old baby Delphine! Thank you to everyone who contributed! 

Sign up for our mailing list to find out when the new Fall '15 and Signature lines come out: click here!

For girls on the go and bustling businesswomen, versatility in a wardrobe is key. It’s important to look, feel and be your best self throughout the day. In order to achieve maximum style all day with minimum effort, the Stefania is your ticket. The stylish pump converts into four different looks with removable and adjustable straps. Style this convertible heel in the boardroom, out to dinner and even on the dance floor. Adjusting the strap is easy and will instantly give you a new look. The Stefania comes in eight color ways; today we’re featuring it in Platinum Pitone/Bone/Bisque Patent.

STEFANIA IN ROSE PITONE

Style 1. Desk – Head into your morning meeting with slacks and a blouse and the Stefania to finish your look. Board meetings are the perfect place for the double Mary Jane straps. The extra support of the double straps will give you a sense of security when the pressure is on.

1. GIVENCHY Pussy-bow blouse in ivory silk crepe de chine
2. ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Prince of Wales check wool-blend bootcut pants
3. BALENCIAGA Cropped basketweave crepe jacket
4. MICHAEL KORS Colette rose gold-tone watch
5. ANYI LU Stefania in rose pitone
6. MONICA VINADER Vega rose gold-plated moonstone earrings
7. TOD'S Shopping medium perforated leather tote

Style 2. Dinner – Head out for a relaxing meal or drinks with friends or colleagues. Quickly remove the straps to for a relaxed rather than business look for the evening. Style these now strapless pumps with skinny ankle jeans and an oversized blouse. Bring on the accessories to highlight the platinum toe on these pumps.

1. NOOR FARES Disco Ball 18-karat gold diamond necklace
2. ANYI LU Stefania rose pitone
3. VALENTINO The Rockstud color-block leather pouch
4. VICTORIA BECKHAM DENIM Cropped mid-rise skinny jeans
5. BY MALENE BIRGER Patti draped crepe de chine blouse
6. BROOKE GREGSON Hammered 18-karat gold earrings

Style 2. Dance – For a night out or post-dinner get together, throw on your best dress and cross the straps at the ankle for a flirty and fun style. You’ll be glad for the extra support when you’re moving to your favorite tunes on the dance floor. Add a few colorful accessories for a nice pop and contrast.

1. IPPOLITA Rock Candy 18-karat gold quartz earrings
2. CEDRIC CHARLIER Jersey and satin dress
3. VICTORIA BECKHAM Two-tone leather clutch
4. ANYI LU Stefania in rose pitone
5. JEMMA WYNNE 18-karat gold diamond bracelet

Winter Shoe Storage – We all do it, the season changes and suddenly our prized boots are shoved to the back of our closet and out come the strappy sandals. This year, let’s properly store those winter boots that we’re so proud to flaunt during the colder months. These tips can be used throughout the season too, for keeping your shoes “like new” all year long.

Step 1. Clean – Rain, snow, ice and mud can leave salt and other deposits on your shoes that will damage them over time. Before sending your pairs into hibernation, be sure they get a good cleaning. After brushing off any and all dirt following the next steps depending on the shoe’s material:

• Suede – Use a suede bar (example here) and give shoes a swift brushing to remove dirty and scuffs (Warning: Do Not Use Water)
• Leather – Use damp cloth or brush to eliminate spots and dirt, following apply shoe polish to remove scuffs and let dry (approximately five minutes)
• Patent – Use damp cloth and mild soap to clean away dirty and scuffs

Once shoes are clean, finish by spraying shoes with waterproofing sealant so that they’re ready to go next winter.

Step 2. Stuff/Shape – Insert tissue paper or a shoe-tree inside shoe so that they keep shape while in storage.

Step 3. Storage – Place shoes in original dust bag and (if available) store in a clean dry box. If you don’t have a dust bag or box, be sure to place the shoes in a clean, dry and dark space so not to harm the color, texture or spotlessness of the shoe.

In honor of the Gigi appearing in this the 15th anniversary issue of‪ OMagazine‬, we've styled her three ways.

Look 1: Gigi in navy – "Derby Style"

This look is inspired by Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady at the races. The light femininity of this look is grounded by the more modern and architectural lines of the Gigi. (Dress from Anthropologie).

Look 2: Gigi in orchid – "Neutral Casual with a Pop of Color"

The best way to bring some life to your casual neutral ensembles is to add a bright pop of color. Pair with gold accessories to add polish. (coat/shirt from BCBG)

Look 3: Gigi in bisque – "City Wedding"

A wedding in the city calls for something a little more luxe. Pair a fitted dress (this one has pockets!) with a statement piece like this fur-trimmed bolero to really make an impact. Minimal jewelry and a neutral shoe like this Gigi make for an understated yet sophisticated look.  (dress from Marc Jacobs, bolero from Cassin)

We could hardly contain our excitement when we saw the Gigi was featured in the new 15th anniversary edition of O Magazine. The article is Real Style Means Breaking a Few Rules and outlines a series of old "fashion truths" that are "outdated, outmoded, and just plan out of style." The first "old school" rule to be broken? "Comfort shoes are ugly." We couldn't agree more. Here's to breaking all "fashion rules!"

 To shop the Gigi, click here

(If you don't see your size, we're getting a new shipment in soon. Sign up for our mailing list to be the first to know when they're in.)

When the online article goes live, we'll feature a link to it here. 

As we plan to say farewell to winter and enthusiastically embrace spring, it is time again to discuss wardrobe options and how to transition from the harsh chill to a happier climate. Spring seems to be the slowest transition as the rain tries to keep the sun away; it’s a great time to layer, as the weather can be unpredictable. Adjustments to what type of shoe you pair with a sweater or sweatshirt can help you slowly adapt to the season and maintain a cozy look with cooler styles. All you need is a great pair of ANYI LU’s and your winter style instantly shifts to spring.

ALEXA IN GOLD PITONE

Strappy sandals not only dress up your look but also steps the style into spring. The gorgeous Alexa python printed sandal fits perfectly with navy pants for a dressed up and feminine look. Add your favorite sweaters and a trench for a chic spring style.

1. RAG & BONE Port leather-trimmed cotton-blend pique trench coat
2. MICHAEL KORS Stretch cotton-blend top
3. TORY BURCH Brandy strech-cotton faille straight-leg pants
4. CARONLINA BUCCI Set of two 18-karat gold bracelets
5. ANYI LU Alexa in Gold Pitone
6. BOTTEGA VENETA Mini Intrecciato Messenger

LANNA IN BLACK AND WHITE STRIPED PITONE

It’s time to put away the winter boots and bring on the perfect-for-spring dressed-up sneakers. The Lanna is great for adding a bit of edge to an otherwise casual look. Pair them with jeans, shorts or as you see here with a romper set and chunky cardigan. 

1. DONNA KARAN Draped cable-knit cashmere cardigan
2. BAND OF OUTSIDERS Printed silk jumpsuit
3. BOTTEGA VENETA The Knot intrecciato satin clutch
4. MAISON MARGIELA Set of four gold-plated rings
5. MELISSA ODABASH Eva woven Panama hat
6. ANYI LU Lanna in white striped pitone

CRISTINA IN NAVY STRETCH AND NAUTICAL STRIPE

Nothing screams spring like a strappy wedge; The Cristina is the epitome of a spring style from the nautical strips to the navy satin stretch straps, this shoe is made for the season. It’s super versatile and perfect for all occasions, here we have it styled with a floral print sweatshirt (we love mixing stripes with prints!) and a fun pair of culottes.

1. LE SPECS Vertigo gold-tone round-frame mirrored sunglasses
2. MARC BY MARC JACOBS Jerrie floral-print jersey sweatshirt
3. MIH JEANS The Kin stretch-denim culottes
4. AURELIE BIDERMANN Copacabana gold-plated and cotton cuff
5. PROENZA SCHOULER Bucket medium textured-leather shoulder bag
6. ANYI LU Cristina in navy satin stretch and nautical stripe

We're excited to announce we are opening our doors to international customers and shipping to Canada is now available. It is the first of many to come so stay tuned! If you have any questions, please contact our customer service representative, Linda Greathouse (linda@anyilu.com). 

Caring for your feet can be a costly feat given the popularity of foot massages, pedicures, and products for exfoliating and odor control. To keep down the cost, Anyi has offered three tips for how to care for your feet at home for less. Try these tips in succession or individually, depending on your needs. When all three are used together we like to call it, “Anyi’s Soak, Stretch and Soothe” program.

1. Soak and Odor Control – Fill a bathtub or bucket with warm water and add a few Lipton (or any inexpensive brand) tea bags. Allow the tea to brew in the warm water for a few minutes and then simply submerge feet into the solution. Not only does the warm water feel great on tired feet, but also the tea will remove any odor that has formed overtime. (*note–some teas can temporarily discolor the skin. If this is an issue for you, use a lighter tea)
2. Stretch and Massage – Take a tennis ball and lay it on the ground. Make sure there is something to grip and keep balance with nearby. Try grabbing the counter, heavy chair or piece of furniture. Once in a stabilized and standing position, place foot over the tennis ball. The ball should fit perfectly in the arch. Slowly roll the ball front to back and even side to side placing more or less weight on the ball depending on what’s comfortable. This process is an easy, everyday way to stretch your feet and get a quick foot massage at a great price.
3. Soothe and Moisturize – Before bed or while winding down with a favorite book or television show lather feet with a creamy and moisturizing lotion. Peppermint oil also works well. Once feet are sufficiently covered in lotion (use as little or much as desired) take a fitted sock and place over foot. This step in the process will secure the lotion and allow it to soak and moisturize the feet, making them softer than imaginable.

It's a good idea to choose footwear made from natural materials (the Sara pictured is leather and cork). These materials tend to breathe better than their synthetic counterparts, reducing foot sweat which can be the cause of odor and blisters.

After a long day in the boardroom or a tough workout our tootsies need some revitalizing. Anyi’s sequence absolutely does the trick.

SPRING/SUMMER 2015 is launching tomorrow!!!! We are so excited for this season full of new styles including casual sandals, strappy heels, and our first fashion sneaker! 

Fortune sat down with Anyi to discuss the revolutionary new ANGEL pump (for Fall 2015), the first comfortable 4-inch high-heeled shoe in the market.  As Fortune is one of our favorite publications, we couldn't be more excited about the article. 

Read the article on fortune.com here.

Full text from the article:

Luxury shoe designer Anyi Lu steps up her game

The engineer turned designer unveils sky-high ambition with a four-inch heel for fashion forward execs. 

For women who need comfortable, fashionable shoes to go from the boardroom to corporate dinners, Anyi Lu’s eponymous brand has long been a step ahead. Her heels, oxfords, and boots are handmade in Italy and feature soles lined with Poron, the same memory foam NASA uses in the space shuttle seats. Lu’s loyal customers are happy to shell out upwards of $395 for flats, heels, and oxfords and north of $595 for mid-height boots.

But her boldest step up yet will hit stores later this year. The four-inch ANGEL heel may look like other sleek pumps on the market. But it is easily the most comfortable—and won’t require two painkillers to totter between meetings or get through an evening gala.

Designing a comfortable sky-high heel was a tall order. Even dance shoes—which Lu knows well from her years as a competitive ballroom dancer—tend to top out at a three-inch heel. “Many women start wearing flats as they get older. But when the occasion calls for it, a high heel can make a woman feel more confident,” Lu says. “We want to feel taller, and we want to love how we look. But no one will say they love how they feel in heels.”

Lu didn’t love how she felt when she began her career as a chemical engineer at Fortune 50 companies DuPont and Chevron. “I do believe that my parents gave me what they sincerely believed was a path to success in pursuing medicine, science, or law,” she explains. But her heart was elsewhere. “I was much older when I finally figured out there were many ways to define success,” she says. She wanted out of the corporate world, and as she struggled to figure out the next leap forward in her career, a position in the marketing department opened. Eager to learn the other side of the business, Lu stepped into a new role. She also signed up for design courses at a local college.

Around the same time, Lu’s sister was preparing to marry. Trying to find the perfect dress and matching shoes for the big day put Lu in the same frustrated position she’d first experienced shopping for office attire. “I wanted my shoes to look as great as my suit, and for shoes to feel good,” she explains. (A footnote: finding beautiful, comfortable shoes has always been a struggle for Lu, who wears a dainty size 3.5.)

Just two semesters into art school, she connected with Dr. Taryn Rose, an orthopedist turned luxury shoe designer who was impressed by Lu’s portfolio and offered her a job. Lu spun on her heel, and her career path changed forever. Soon after, in 2005, she stepped out on her own and launched her label.

At her first World Shoe Association Show in Las Vegas, a Nordstrom JWN 0.05% buyer took notice and bought her first collection. For the first five years, Lu focused on growing with the department store’s demand. “The brand distribution grew from five to 50 Nordstrom stores. I wasn’t really into growing other retailers as I could hardly keep up with one giant,” Lu says.

She wasn’t even sure what her measure of success was. “Those first five years, my mom would ask me every time we spoke if I’d be interested in getting a real job again,” she says. “It was only when my mother stopped bugging me about getting back into engineering that I realized I might be onto something.” Eventually, she started to get even more valuable feedback: from women who swore by her shoes. “When customers would approach me and tell me how my shoes changed their lives, how they felt confident and beautiful again by being able to put on a pair of heels, I felt that I was truly doing something good.”

In 2011, Lu briefly expanded to partner with Bloomingdale’s, hoping to support midtown Manhattan executives with no Nordstrom in sight. But she canceled the deal after 18 months after constant markdowns at Friends and Family sales hurt her brand image and compromised sales at retailers where her shoes typically flew off the shelves at full price. In 2013, she tried again and found a more vigilant partner in Neiman Marcus. That same year, she expanded distribution to Zappos AMZN 1.24% . She also established partnerships with upscale shoe boutiques like Harry’s Shoes in New York City and San Francisco’s Arthur Beren.

A year ago, Lu unveiled her e-commerce site. “For me, that was a big change and a necessary step to take,” she explains. Most retailers are forced to select only a portion of her collection in select colors. “We offer 20 or 30 styles, but a department store can only take ten,” she laments. “We have so many customers literally calling us in the office. We’re constantly making referrals, trying to find out if retailers still have a size or color.” The Anyi Lu website, which offers the brand’s most comprehensive selection in one place, launched in February 2014 and helped haul in a 497% e-tail revenue increase in the first year.

The Angel heel is another bold step forward. “There are very limited choices in the marketplace. You can go buy three-inch heels that are literally a pain. Or you can get granny shoes, which are comfortable, but they don’t work in the boardroom,” she says with a laugh.

“I wasn’t coming from design school perspective. I love beautiful things, but the motivation was coming from need in marketplace. With my background as an engineer, I just wanted to solve a problem.”

Written By Brittany Shoot