Today we’d like to introduce you to Lidia Talavera
Hi Lidia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Lidia Talavera, and for as long as I can remember, finding shoes that fit has been a constant struggle. As someone who wears a women’s size 4, I’ve often felt left out, with most shoe companies offering sizes from 6 to 10 US. The challenge of finding something stylish and comfortable in my size seemed insurmountable.
In 2018, a trip to Guadalajara, Mexico, where my father has worked in the leather goods industry, changed everything. As I was about to leave, my father mentioned he was making parts for shoes and dreamed of creating full shoes. In a moment of inspiration, I asked him if he could replicate a design for me in my size 4. His reply—yes, Tjat lit a spark in my heart. I realized this was more than just a personal solution; it could be a chance to help so many others who struggle like I do.
Returning home, I couldn’t shake the thought that there must be countless people like me: short women with small feet, tall women with large feet, those with wide feet, and the LGBTQ community, including drag queens, transgender women, crossdressers, and anyone with masculine feet. I knew I had to take action.
Three months later, I went back to Guadalajara with a heart full of hope, sketches of shoes, and a modest business plan. I was determined to find a manufacturer who could help turn this dream into reality, aware of the immense challenges ahead.
My vision was clear: to create a shoe line that defied the norms, offering beautiful, high-quality shoes for everyone, regardless of gender or size. Our mission became to be gender-inclusive and size-inclusive, and to offer customization like never before. We’re one of the first to create high heels in true men’s sizes, with our range covering women’s 4 to 17 and men’s 7 to 16 US.
In 2018, after securing a manufacturer, I began the arduous journey of building a shoe company from scratch. Despite the hurdles, we went live in 2020, and now we proudly offer two labels: Lidia Talavera and Viviano by Lidia Talavera. Every step of this journey has been fueled by the desire to make a difference, to bring beautiful shoes to those who have been overlooked for too long.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey has been filled with countless obstacles and challenges, many of which continue to test us. One of the first hurdles I faced was finding a manufacturer willing to embrace my vision. While most were eager to produce standard women’s sizes in large quantities, our company’s model was different.
The second major challenge was developing high heels in men’s sizes—a feat that simply didn’t exist in the industry. We had to start from scratch, creating new molds and even crafting molds for the molds themselves. Adjusting machinery to accommodate these custom molds and collaborating with shoe part vendors to redesign everything was an incredibly expensive and time-consuming process. It took several years to develop and refine these molds.
Today, my biggest challenge is advertising. Our target market is quite niche, and reaching the right audience requires peeling away layers of conventional marketing. We invest significant resources in finding our customers—women with small feet, women with large feet, women with wide feet, and members of the LGBTQ community, including drag queens, gay men, crossdressers, and transgender women. Each layer of advertising must be carefully crafted to connect with these diverse groups, making the process both demanding and rewarding.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
The most incredible part of my journey is that I never started out as a designer, nor did I ever envision myself becoming one. By profession, I am a commercial real estate broker with about 17 years of experience. Despite this, my creative spirit and a deep frustration with the lack of stylish high heels in my size inspired a dramatic career shift.
I come from a corporate background with a strong business acumen, where numbers and analytics have always been my forte. When I delved into the challenges faced by millions in finding properly fitting shoes, it became clear that there was a significant opportunity. My quest to find a manufacturer who could help me navigate the complexities of shoe-making led me to Don Elias, a passionate and skilled shoemaker who helped turn my vision into reality.
We specialize in crafting beautiful, gender-inclusive, and size-inclusive shoes. Lidia Talavera is dedicated to providing high-quality high heels for both women’s and men’s sizes, along with customizable options.
What I’m most proud of is having the courage to venture into a completely new field. Despite my lack of experience in the fashion industry, my team and I have made significant strides. We’re building a reputation for ourselves and making a meaningful impact by bringing shoe happiness to a diverse audience. For me, an outfit isn’t complete without shoes that fit perfectly and make you feel empowered.
What sets us apart is our commitment to serving all shoe lovers. Our extensive size range caters to a broad spectrum of needs, and while we focus on a niche market, we do so with the intention of breaking barriers and addressing the unique needs of our customers. We are dedicated to making shoes accessible and stylish for everyone, regardless of gender or size.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Our customer base may be considered niche, but it’s actually a significant, global market. We operate under two distinct labels: Lidia Talavera and Viviano by Lidia Talavera.
Lidia Talavera is our luxury line, specializing in high-quality leathers from Italy, Spain and Mexico. We offer heels in women’s sizes 4-17 US, with options for medium and wide widths, as well as men’s sizes 7-16 US, also in medium and wide widths. Customization is key, with options for heel height, single or platform soles, and a selection of over 50 colors. Prices start at $350. Each pair is made to order, ensuring exclusivity and precision. LidiaTalavera.com.
Viviano by Lidia Talavera is our budget-friendly line, crafted from high-quality synthetics. This collection is exclusively available in men’s sizes. Prices start at $95.00
VivianoTalavera.com.
Pricing:
- Lidia Talavera starting at $350
- Viviano By Lidia Talavera starting at $95
- No extra cost for customization
- Free shipping to US & Mexico
- WoldWide shipping for a small fee
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lidiatalavera.com/
- Instagram: @lidiatalaverainc
- Facebook: @lidiatalaverainc
- Twitter: @lidiatalaverainc
- Other: https://vivianotalavera.com/
Image Credits
Photographer for several pics Daniel Taylor @daniel.iso, Photographer Andres Noviembre @sundayinnovember
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