Stepping into Style: A Shoe Lover’s Tale
Teresa Bembury, Managing/Creative Director @ MyGoTo Brands
Is it just me, or does anyone else feel their heart skip a beat at the sight of a beautiful pair of shoes?
Shoes have always been an object of my desire. Looking back, I realize this attraction started in my teenage years. My sister was a true shoe enthusiast and my ultimate inspiration. She had a pair of shoes to match every mood, every color, every occasion. I couldn’t resist her collection (which I couldn’t afford), so I would sneak into her closet and “borrow” a pair for school or just to top off my weekend outfits. When I got caught, our arguments sometimes turned into fights. Instead of stopping, I became savvier at my "sneak shopping" in her closet, determined that one day I’d have my own array of shoes.
Destiny in Action
At 16, I landed a part-time job as a shoe salesperson at the renowned Thom McAn's shoe store in Manhattan. I simply walked into the store, asked if they were hiring, and then—I had a job! I loved working there: presenting shoes to customers and hearing their stories. I took joy in showing shoe options, guiding them toward those magic words, “Yes, I’ll take it.” And, of course, the disposable $$$ was just what I needed to leave my sister's shoes alone.
Life in Advertising Design and Shoes
Years later, while working as a self-employed advertising designer, I received a call from Tom Claro, owner of Claro Shoes. Mr. Claro owned a chain of five stores in New York City specializing in high-end footwear for people with unique sizing needs, including large, extra-large, and petite sizes. Claro Shoes catered to a distinctive clientele, such as fashion models, celebrities and sports figures. Referred to me by a TV Guide magazine editor/friend, Mr. Claro needed someone to create and place shoe ads in major newspapers like The New York Times, The Daily News, The Post and Newsday. This five-year period significantly deepened her appreciation for high-quality footwear.
Following my success at Claro Shoes, I joined Time-Warner BOMC as a Design Manager for their lifestyle brands. Subsequent mergers with Bertelsmann Music Group, Doubleday, and Columbia House led to the formation of a spin-off company called Direct Brands, which became one of the largest direct-to-consumer media distributors in the U.S. As I advanced to Senior Art Director, I felt fortunate to work in a harmonious environment that encouraged self-expression through fashion, whether that meant wearing designer clothes or a simple T-shirt and jeans. This atmosphere was ideal for my creativity, allowing me to complement my style with fabulous shoes at whim.
Me - A Crazy Shoe Lady?
One of my craziest memories involves the time I bought nine pairs of shoes at a New York designer sample shoe sale. The prices were irresistible, and the shoes were stunning. I simply couldn’t resist! Faced with the challenge of carrying nine boxes of shoes (including two pairs of boots) home, my quick solution was to stuff them into a large hefty garbage bag I grabbed at the venue. The full bag was heavier than I’d expected, and moreover walking through NYC rush hour streets then riding the sardine packed subway home with a giant garbage bag of shoes definitely made me feel a little crazy. Did I become the 'crazy shoe lady' that day? Perhaps...
These Days...
Nowadays, I’ve learned to rein in my shoe-buying sprees, but my love for shoes remains as strong as ever. My favorite brands include Coach, Dolce & Gabbana, and Prada, but honestly, I’m more of an opportunist than a brand loyalist. For me, shoes seal the deal on your style!
What's your story? Send me your Shoe Lover's Tale. Send email to: hello@ mygotobrand.com along with a photo that you like and I'll post it in our upcoming blog series