A Beginner’s Guide to Heels.
Billie talks all things heels with Founder and Footwear Designer Nicole Rebstock. This gal has made a living out of gorgeous shoes so she knows a thing or two about what people need to know about high heels!
Tell us about the Nicole Rebstock brand and how it came to be?
I had no clue I was going to start this business until I was about 22 years old. I studied business and law as a conjoint with the intention of becoming a lawyer.
I remember being in the second or third year of my degree and just thinking “I don’t think I can wake up every day and practice law”. I just didn’t love it in the way I knew you had to love it to be happy in a legal career. I loved fashion and shoes in particular but I had zero experience and thought it was just a nice thought but never a reality.
I had grown up in a family where business was discussed at the dinner table almost every night, so it felt more natural to me than the law.
A little more time passed and I remember it was the first day of the semester break and I had about 3 assignments to write and I remember sitting up in my bed and thinking how cool it would be to have my own shoe business and then something just clicked and I thought “nobody is born with the ability to create a shoe business or design things, you have to learn. And if other people can do it then so can I”. And I ran downstairs, grabbed a pen and paper and jumped back in bed and drew my first shoe. Admittedly, it wasn’t the best drawing, but it was the mark of the beginning!
From that moment forward I started gearing my life to take the leap. I quit my part-time job as a gymnastics coach and got a part-time job in a shoe store. I talked to a friend who had gone out on her own starting a clothing label about how I could possibly find a manufacturer. I started looking at courses in London where I could learn about shoe making. There was a lot of self-teaching!
Now I dedicate my time entirely to designing shoes for my own brand and overseeing three retail stores: two in Auckland—one in Newmarket and the other in Commercial Bay—alongside one in Christchurch at The Crossing, as well as an online business.
Ultimately, I wanted to honour my European heritage and bring my love of feminine, timeless design to the New Zealand market.
A lot of your range focusses around high heels - tell us why?
No matter how much time passes, women can’t help but gravitate to heels and I think it comes down to the feeling they give us, they are more than just shoes. We put them on, and they immediately boost our confidence. We feel more in control and ready to take on our lives.
Where did your love of shoes, particularly high heels come from?
I have always loved shoes. Growing up, my mother always had a wonderful wardrobe of colour and uniquely shaped shoes, and her dress sense has always inspired me.
My family’s European heritage has also shaped my fashion taste.
I love the timeless, effortlessly chic look that you so often see in Europe, and I think our brand is a reflection of that.
Why is it important to invest in a good pair of heels, particularly for first-timers?
Like anything new, you want to have a good first experience! This is why I would recommend opting for leather good quality heels, purely for comfort reasons and choosing something that YOU feel good in.
Are there specific types or styles of high heels that are more suitable for beginners? If so, what are they and why?
There’s no perfect specific style for beginners but, I’d recommend going for a thicker heel that is medium in height to begin with. It’ll give you more stability and confidence, and you can use it on any surface!
What’s important to know when learning to walk in heels? Any tips?
Don’t choose something too high - We never go above 10cm (unless there is a platform) for the simple fact that it becomes difficult for the arch of your foot to cope with and this can lead to issues walking down hill and overall feels impractical!
Comfort is key - when you feel good, you look good! If something is very uncomfortable it will always be obvious so, choose a shoe that works for you.
Stand up straight - When you pull your shoulders back and down and engage your core you automatically gain extra stability. Then it’s about walking confidentially instead of cautiously. Sometimes walking extra slow makes balancing more difficult. Don’t be afraid to walk with purpose!
Are there any tips or tricks for making heels more comfortable?
Be selective about the heels you choose. We all have different feet and this means different shoes work better for different people. For example, some people enjoy pointed toes where others opt for a round or almond toe. When buying a pair of heels, be sure that your toes are sitting flat inside the shoes. You don’t want to have your toes feeling like they have to sit on top of each other. The most comfortable heels will always be those that have a leather upper and leather lining as they have the ability to mould to your feet.
When we design our pumps, we are really particular about several things. Firstly, the balance of the shoe and how the arch of the foot will sit, as this effects how stable you feel and how tired your feet will get during the day. Secondly, the shape of the toe box. Kiwi’s tend to have wider feet and so we are sure to accommodate for that in our shoe moulds. Thirdly, the pattern around the opening of the shoe- knowing many women have bunions and other issues with their feet, we are careful about where we cut our patterns. Finally, the soles we put on our shoes are not just grippy, they also absorb shock which means that you can not only walk confidently, you will be more comfortable for longer. Our reputation for exceptional comfort comes down to the details and the thought we put into our shoes and the moulds we use to create them.
What should people keep in mind regarding the surfaces they'll be walking on when wearing high heels for the first time?
It’s important to dress for the environment you’re going to be in. If you know the ground will be uneven, I would suggest opting for a thicker heel. This is often the case at weddings as they can be outdoors and you don’t want to be sinking into the grass! A thicker heel also gives you that extra bit of security and balance so is a great way to start.
Is there an ideal number of heels to own?
There’s no ideal. Some people have one pair they love and wear them every day. Others like to have variety. If possible, it’s nice to have a selection as it’s good to have something open and closed. In summer it can be very hot and challenging to wear a closed toe pump all day. When it’s very hot, our feet tend to swell and in a closed shoe this can be a recipe for discomfort, that’s why I would recommend a heeled sandal for those hot summer days. This is often why brides opt for an open toe when getting married in summer!
It’s also nice to have something low and something high in your wardrobe. You may opt for a low heel for work every day but if you have a party you may want to bring out the high stilettos!
Colour is another factor. We always need a good pair of black pumps, as well as a neutral. And then if you’re like me, I like to have a good pop of colour so if I’m wearing a plain outfit it suddenly goes from boring to exceptional simply with a pair of eye-catching shoes!
In this sense, a good 4-5 pairs of heels is a sensible place to start!
Any other tips?
IF YOU FEEL GOOD, YOU LOOK GOOD! You don’t have to wear sky high heels to look good. Even a small heel can add just the right amount of elegance to an outfit and elevate it to the exceptional. We make heels of all shapes and sizes and so there really is something for everyone!
Check out Nicole Rebstock’s full range of shoes here.
